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= W^^ 



The Conjurer 

A Dramatic Mystery in Three Acts 



By 
MANSFIELD SCOTT 

Author of **The Air-Spy," "The Submarine Shell,'' etc. 



The professional stage rights in this play are reserved by the 
author, and all persons wishing to produce it publicly and for 
profit should apply for permission to the author in care of the 
publishers. For amateur performances given before the general 
public under advertisement and for profit a royalty of ^lo.oo for 
the first and $5.00 each for succeeding performances is required. 
This is payable to the publishers at any time before the perform- 
ance. Schools may produce it without payment of any royalty. 



BOSTON 

WALTER H. BAKER & CO. 
1919 






^ 



The Conjurer 



CHARACTERS 

Inspector Malcome Steele. 

George Clifford. 

Captain Frank Drummond Gleason. 

Lieutenant Hamilton Warwick. 

Colonel VVillard Anderson. 

Driscoll Wells. 

Doctor Gordon Peak. 

Detective White. 

Marion Anderson. 

Edith Anderson. 

Ellen Gleason. 

Dorothy Elmstrom. 



SYNOPSIS 



Act I — The home of Colonel Anderson (Friday evening). 
Act II.— The office of Inspector Steele (Saturday afternoon). 
Act III.— The same as Act II (Saturday evening). 




^^^^^6-00 73, 



Copyright, 1919, by J. Mansfield Scott 
As author and proprieto/. 

All rights reserved, 
©aO 51471 

MAR 25 1913 



DIAGRAMS 
(See page 28 and 29) 




50 



Larfio 

o 

Chftir. 



10 

Box. 

□ 



Electrio 



O 

Lamp. 



Sneill Q 

TaW»», Colonel 
Anderson, 



Ohair.Q 
Chair. ( O ) Chair. 
Ellen Gl©aBon.(o) (O^ 
Chair. (OJ Edith anderson 

Dorothy ElmBtrom, 
Chair, (o) 

Marion AndWBWl. 

Chair. ^) 

DrieooU V«lla* 



Frank Gl«aeon. 
Door 
Chair. 



■..\ 



POSITIONS BEFORE THE THEFT. 



/ 



Book-oase. 



Chair 



• o 



Ellen Gleason. 



Chair, 



Table. 



STdtch 



Door. 



Lar»e 



o 



Chair. 



o 

Clifford. 



Ip. Electric 

lu o 

Box. ^^ 
j 1 Lamp. 



Chair 



0^«- ■" owiT.cri.»» 
Warwick ./^A <,x^„,„ ^ 

Chair. , 

O V-y '^^'*^* Prank Gleaeon. 



Sinall Table. 



Dorothy 
Chair 



Colonel Anderson. 
Q Chair 

Usurion Anderson. 

O 
Driscoll Wells 



O 

o 



POSITIONS AFTER THE THEFT. 



PLEASE NOTICE 

The acting rights of this play are strictly reserved. Perform- 
ance may be given by amateurs on payment of a royalty of ten 
dollars (^lo.oo) for the first, and $5.00 for each succeeding per- 
formance. Correspondence on this subject should be addressed 
to the publishers. The /r^T^jJW/^/' stage rights are also strictly 
reserved, and performance by professional actors, given in adver- 
tised places of amusement and for profit, is forbidden. Persons 
who may wish to produce this play publicly and professionally 
should apply to the author in care of the publishers. 



Attention is called to the penalties provided by the Copyright 
Law of the United States of America in force July i, 1909, for 
any infringement of his rights, as follows : 

Skc. 28. That any person who wilfully and for profit shall infringe any 
Copyright secured by this Act, or who shall knowingly and wilfully aid 
or abet such infringement, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and 
upon conviction thereof shall be punished by imprisonment for not ex- 
ceeding one year or by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars, or both, 
at the discretion of the court. 

Sec. 29. That any person who, with fraudulent intent, shall insert or 
impress any notice of Copyright required by this Act, or words of the 
same purport, in or upon any uncopyrighted article, or with fraudulent in- 
tent shall remove or alter the copyright notice upon any article duly copy- 
righted shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not less 
than one hundred dollars and not more than one thousand dollars. 



The Conjurer 



ACT I 

SCENE. — The home of Colonel Anderson. Friday even- 
ing. The scene is any well-furnished room. There is 
a large rug, and plenty of chairs, but not very much 
immovable furniture. Back near the wall, at l., there 
is a table, upon which are arranged a number of books 
and magazines, and a vase of flowers. There is a pic- 
ture hanging in c, and also one at each end of the room, 
on the wall at the side. The two doors are at the 
sides. There is a switch close beside the door at l., and 
directly under the picture hanging at that end. This 
particular picture is a painting of General Grant. 

(In the room are George Clifford, Captain Frank 
Gleason, and Lieutenant Hamilton Warwick. 
The last two named are in uniform. George Clif- 
ford is a young man of about twenty-three. He is 
of medium, height, with rather dark hair and com- 
plexion, and might be called handsome. He is in- 
clined to be a bit impulsive, but there is an air of 
honesty and straightforward dealing in his manner 
that makes him likeable. Captain Frank Gleason 
is taller, and a little darker. He has a rather deep 
voice, and at times he has a very irritating way of 
making sarcastic comments. Lieutenant Hamil- 
ton Warwick is very tall, with light complexion. 
He is a dude. He knows everything that can be 
known about war and military matters, and does not 
hesitate to display his knowledge. George Clifford 
is standing a little apart from his two companions. 

5 



6 THE CONJURER 

He is apparently engaged in a great mental struggle. 
At length he raises his head, and turns to the others.) 

Clifford. I can't ! 

Gleason {in disgust). Can't! 

Warwick. Oh, I say, George, hadn't you better re- 
consider this? 

Clif. Oh, I — I can't, Warwick. I've told you my 
reasons. I can't, that's all. 

Glea. Oh, come, come, Clifford! That's the most 
ridiculous 

Clif. Gleason, you're not fair to me. I've told you 
again and again that I promised my mother I'd not 
enlist, — and you know that's the reason why I haven't 
done it ! 

War. Clifford, that's absolutely the silliest excuse I 
ever heard ! And the nonsensical claim that got you your 
exemption was nothing less than laughable ! 

Glea. What's the use of arguing with him, Hamie? 
He's made up his mind that he won't fight for Uncle 
Sam, and you might as well not talk to him. 

Clif. Frank, I've told you 

Glea. Oh, tommyrot ! 

War. That's exactly what it is, Clifford, — tommyrot. 
Your heart is absolutely normal in every way. That's 
what three well-known doctors have said, and that's what 
/ say, too ! 

Clif. I know that. But my grandfather's heart was 
normal all his life, up to the age of forty. He died from 
excitement, during a storm at sea. My father's heart 
was normal, too, and he died at the age of twenty-nine, 
because somebody fired a gun close behind him on a hunt- 
ing trip. Mother feels that I couldn't stand fighting in 
the trenches, and it's only fair to her that I should ask ex- 
emption. If you think 

Glea. No, I don't think! I know. It's a clever ex- 
cuse that will fool our army doctors, but it doesn't fool 
me, or Warwick either. You're a rotten coward, Clif- 
ford! You haven't got the nerve to fight; you'd rather 
let us fight for you, while you're home showing off your 
playthings to a crowd of 



THE CONJURER 7 

Clip, (hotly). Gleason, you've no right to say that! 
I'm not afraid to fight, and I'm not afraid to die, and some 
day I'll prove that to you ! I want to go to war ! But I 
have a duty to mother ; I must consider her first ! And 
as for your insult about my " playthings," let me tell you 
that I am only using a God-given gift to raise money for 
you fellows to fight with ! 

War. (hastily). Oh, yes, I say, Frank, you didn't 
mean it exactly that way, you know. 

(The door at l. opens suddenly. Enter Marion 
Anderson and Edith Anderson, followed by 
Ellen Gleason and Colonel Willard Anderson. 
Colonel Anderson is in uniform. Marion An- 
derson is rather short of stature, quite pretty, with 
dark complexion. Her sister Edith is light, and 
taller. Ellen Gleason is the tallest of the three; 
her complexion, in contrast to that of her brother, is 
very light. Colonel Willard Anderson is a man 
perhaps fifty years old. He is rather short and stout, 
with moustache and hair slightly gray. He is ener- 
getic in action and in speech.) 

Colonel Anderson. Here are the rest of our guests 
of honor. 

(Gleason is still facing Clifford, in an attitude of con- 
tempt. Edith Anderson and Ellen Gleason ap- 
proach the three.) 

Glea. {turning slowly). Thank you, Colonel Ander- 
son. But I can't say that I find your remark a compli- 
ment. 

(Ellen Gleason stares at her brother in astonishment.) 

Edith. Why, — why, Frank, what do you mean? 

(Colonel Anderson comes forward, puzzled.) 

War. {awkwardly)' Oh, I — I hardly think Frank 
means all this, just as he said it, you know. 

And. Well, just what did you mean, Frank? 

Glea. {turning away from Clifford). Oh, nothing 
at all. Colonel. 



S THE CONJURER 

Clip. Colonel Anderson, I'll tell you exactly what he 
meant. He meant that he doesn't care to have you class 
him with me, that's all. Because I'm not in uniform 

Ellen. Frank, you didn't say that ! 

Marion (crossing quickly to Clifford). George, 
what has happened? 

Clif. He has insulted me, Marion, — intentionally. 

Glea. (in disgust). Insulted him ! I told him that he 
invented excuses to claim exemption, and I meant it. 
He's no American ! 

Marion (with indignation) . Captain Gleason ! I 

And. Come, come, Frank. There's no reason to talk 
this way. You know, and we all know, that George is 
doing the very most he can for the country. He's been 
taking hours away from his business every day. I'm sure 
you'll apologize. 

Glea. (slowly). Oh, — oh, very well. Colonel. Clif- 
ford, I forgot myself. I'm sorry I said anything. 

And. And let's not have any more of this strained 
feeling, fellows. We don't want any unpleasant recol- 
lections 

Ellen (glancing out through the door at l.). Oh, 
Mr. Wells has come ! 

War. Oh, good ! Let's go out, Ellen, and meet him. 

Edith. Oh, yes. Come, Frank, we'll go, too. Don't 
you think he's wonderful ? 

Glea. I certainly never heard any one like him. 

(Ellen Gleason and Warwick go out, followed by 
Edith Anderson and Gleason. Colonel Ander- 
son starts to follow them, but returns.) 

And. George, you mustn't feel hurt about this. I 
wouldn't have you uncomfortable for the world. 

Clif. Please don't feel anxious about me. I — I don't 
mind it a bit. 

Marion. But I know you do mind it, George. And 
I mind it. (She pauses a moment.) Won't you please 
change your decision, George? I know I've asked you 
again and again, but I'm going to do it this once more. 
Can't you, please, join the army, for my sake? 



THE CONJURER 9 

Clif. Marion, you know I can't ! I'd do anything in 
the world for you, and you know that, but I — I can't 
break a promise to mother ! 

Marion. Oh, George! You don't know how I 
feel 

And. You mustn't urge him this way, Marion. We 
know he has the best of reasons 

Marion. I can't help it, father ! I — I keep thinking 
of Ediih, and of Ellen Gleason, and I see how proud they 
are of Lieutenant Warwick, and — and Captain Gleason. 
And — and the other girls all tell Edith and Ellen how 
lucky they are, and — and they seem to pity me. Can't 
you understand, father? I want George to do something 
that he can be proud of ! 

Clif. Oh, I know it, Marion ; I know it ! Every one 
thinks I'm a coward 

And. No one thinks that, George ! And as for Frank 
and Hamilton, Marion, I'm very sure that neither of them 
can say that he has already raised over six thousand 
dollars for the use of our soldiers ! 

Marion. I know, but 

Enter Edith Anderson and Gleason, with Dorothy 
Elmstrom. They are followed by Ellen Gleason, 
and Warwick, with Driscoll Wells and Inspector 
Malcome Steele. Dorothy Elmstrom is a young- 
lady of medium height, zvith brown hair which is 
neither light nor dark. Her voice is lozv, and she is 
rather quiet, though when she converses she does so 
in a convincing manner. Driscoll Wells is a small, 
frail man, about thirty years of age. His health is 
apparently very delicate, and his voice is a trifle 
high-pitched. Inspector Steele is tall and power- 
fully built. At ordinary times he is deliberate in 
action and speech. One can make no definite esti- 
mate as to his age. At times he seems forty; at 
other times he has the quickness and sudden decision 
of a man of thirty. His voice is distinctive, and 
commands attention whenever he speaks. Colonel 
Anderson greets Driscoll Wells and Inspector 
Steele, 



10 THE CONJURER 

And. Miss Elmstrom, let me present Mr. George Clif- 
ford. (Clifford bows.) And, George, I think you met 
Mr. Driscoll Wells here last winter. {They shake hands 
cordially.) And, Mr. Steele 

Inspector Steele {shaking hands with Clifford). 
Yes, indeed, Colonel. Clifford, I am glad to see you 
again. 

Dorothy {glancing at Clifford with recognition). 
Oh, Mr. — Mr. Clifford, aren't you — are you *' Professor 
Harkman " ? 

And. {laughing). Then you've discovered that al- 
ready, Miss Elmstrom! 

Dor. I have! {She turns to Clifford.) I certainly 
enjoyed your performance at the Brookside Club Wednes- 
day evening. 

Clif. Oh, then you vjtr^ there Wednesday ? 

Dor. Yes. You see, I have been visiting here with 
Marion ever since I came across from Berlin Monday. 
Louise Chapman, another of my old friends, invited me 
to the club Wednesday. I think yoiu" performance was 
the most mysterious and marvellous exhibition I ever 
saw. 

Steele. Then you've given another performance 
since last Saturday, Mr. Clifford. I saw you then, at 
Wendell Hall. 

And. I was there Saturday, too. 

Steele. You must have raised quite a sum at that 
time, judging from the attendance. 

Clif. We cleared between five and six hundred dol- 
lars Saturday, and about four hundred, I believe, at the 
club Wednesday. 

Ellen. Why, I never knew that ! Did you, Hamil- 
ton? " 

War. Why, I — I certainly think it's remarkable ! 

Steele. You have a wonderful ability, Clifford. 

And. And he is putting it to a most excellent use. I 
maintain, friends, that the men who carry muskets are not 
the only ones who serve America. The man who sup- 
plies those muskets, in my opinion, does as much as the 
fighters, and every bit as much ! 

Dor. I certainly agree with you, Colonel Anderson. 



THE CONJURER II 

War. To tell the truth, I'm of practically the same 
opinion myself. 

Glea. And I agree, too. Colonel, provided that the 
man who remains at home to do this is not physically 
able to do his real duty at the front. 

Dor. But if a person is more fitted for specialized 
service at home, I think he should give that service. 

Glea. True enough, Miss Elmstrom. But some of 
these forms of service are, essentially, for the physically 
unfit. 

(Dorothy laughs.) 

Dor. As I have understood your argument. Captain 
Gleason, you would seem to suggest, for instance, that 
the head of our American Secret Service, Inspector 
Steele, should enlist for trench service, and leave his 
duties to the physically unfit ! {A hearty laugh from 
Colonel Anderson. Gleason is uncomfortable.) Or, 
perhaps, that Dr. Gordon Peak had better have gone to 
Europe. And in regard to Mr. Clifford, I think that his 
course has been most admirable, in every way ! 

Clif. Oh, I — this is certainly very kind of you, Miss 
Elmstrom ! 

Wells. I understand. Colonel Anderson, that Dr. 
Peak is at present your guest. 

And. Fm greatly honored to be able to say that he is. 
He has spent the past two days with us. He hasn't been 
very well to-day, but I expect him down soon. 

Marion. It seems wonderful that we really have him 
here with us ! 

Glea. Then you think that Dr. Peak's discovery will 
prove to be of some real value ? 

Steele. It is certainly one of the greatest steps that 
our country has taken in this war. 

Glea. (surprised). You really believe so! But the 
Government, you know, doesn't see it that way. At 
Washington they say his scheme is impracticable. 

War. And that is precisely the way it seemed to me. 

Steele. I'm sorry to say that our Government of- 
ficials have been exceedingly slow in this matter. It has 
taken weeks where it should have taken days. Until 



12 THE CONJURER 

they have satisfied themselves, beyond the last possible 
question, that Dr. Peak's amyl compound will do all that 
he claims it will do, they won't buy it. 

And. It's maddening. Why, they won't even pay Dr. 
Peak enough to settle the debt which he incurred in his 
research work on this compound until they have tested 
It to their own satisfaction. 

Ellen. Is that really true ? 

And. It certainly is. Perhaps you can imagine how 
matters stand. When a man has given over practically 
all his capital to such a work for the nation, and has run 
up a debt which is really very great,— if he won't accept 
so large a loan,— what is he going to do? Of course T 
know the doctor is sensitive about this, and I shouldn't 
have spoken of it, but it— it isn't fair. 

Wells. But please tell me just what Dr. Peak has 
done. 

And. Why, Mr. Wells, don't you know? 

Wells {shaking his head with a smile). I really 
don't One hears very little of America when he is 
travelling abroad. 

Marion. I thought every one must have heard of 
this. All England must know about it, for 

Steele. And Germany, too. Miss Anderson 

Edith. But there is Dr. Peak now, in the library. 
Do come m, every one, and meet him. 

{They turn, and follow her through the door at R. 
Clifford starts to go with the others, hut Colonel 
Anderson puts his hand on his shoulder and keeps 
htm until all have gone.) 

And. George, I'm terribly sorry that Frank has 
started this kind of talk. I wouldn't have had it happen 
tor the world, especially after the unpleasantness we had 
here yesterday, between Miss Elmstrom and Dr. Peak. 
I know you must be troubled 

Clif. No, Colonel, no. I don't mind. You know 
1 m not a coward. You know I'm only waiting for a 
chance to be of real service to America. And if that 
chance ever comes 



THE CONJURER I3 

(Inspector Steele reenters from R.) 

Steele. Pardon me for overhearing, and interrupt- 
ing, please, but — that chance may come a great deal 
sooner than you have expected. 

Clif. Why, Mr. Steele ! 

Steele (turning to Colonel Anderson). And I want 
to thank you now, Colonel, for your willingness to have 
me here, an uninvited guest, at this time. I must seem 
out of place among your young friends 

And. Not in the least, Mr. Steele. Whatever your 
reason for asking to come, you may be sure I'm glad to 
have you, 

Steele. That's very kind of you. But I'll not keep 
you wondering any longer. (He glances back toward the 
door.) I had a code message from my chief detective, 
Clapp, yesterday afternoon. For the past year or two, 
Clapp has been hot on the trail of certain German agents 
operating in this part of the country. He has been par- 
ticularly interested, of late, in a certain William Kurtz, 
and, according to his statement about a week ago, he has 
this man just where he wants him. 

And. I see. 

Steele. But Kurtz has not yet been arrested; Clapp 
feels that by letting him go on, apparently unsuspected, 
for a few days longer, we can locate several of those who 
are working together with Kurtz. Clapp got one of their 
secret dispatches yesterday. He declares to me. Colonel, 
that a confederate of this Kurtz intends to make an at- 
tempt to learn Dr. Gordon Peak's amyl gas process while 
the doctor is your guest in this house ! 

(Anderson and Clifford start.) 

And. Inspector, this is impossible! A spy in my 
home ? Who ? 

Steele. That is just what Clapp was unable to find 
out. And that is what I must find out, with your help, 
here to-night. 

And. But, Mr. Steele, this can't be true ! 

Steele. Perhaps it isn't. But I know Clapp wouldn't 



14 THE CONJURER 

send such a message unless he were pretty sure of his 
ground. And, at all events, I can't afford to take a 
chance. 
And. How do you propose to find out ? 
Steele. That will depend. Besides ourselves and the 
doctor, there are seven here, are there not ? I mean in- 
cludnig your daughters. ' 

And. Yes, seven in all. Besides Marion and Edith, 
there is Ellen Gleason, and her brother, Captain Gleason. 
Steele. He is one of the young men in uniform. 
And. Yes. The other is Lieutenant Warwick. I got 
up this little party in their honor; they both sail for 
1^ ranee Monday. Then there is Mr. Driscoll Wells Of 
course you've heard of him. 
Steele. The pianist. Yes, indeed. 
And. He has just returned from a trip in Europe: 
he s been travelling over a year 

Steele. And the other,-Miss Elmstrom. She has 

also been travelling 

. And^ No, not travelling. She has spent four vears 
m Berlin, studying music. She plays the violin. "' Mr. 
bteele, we can t think that of any of these people,— a spy » 
Your man didn't say it would be attempted to-night ! 

Steele. But no other time is possible. Please don't 
worry, Colonel ; they haven't a chance in the world of 
doing It. Why, do you think they could torture it out 
of the doctor, here in your house? But, if any one here 
has the desire to do it, he'll show it, provided we give him 
the chance ! 

Clip. But, Mr. Steele, what chance 

Steele. That's just where you come in ! The thought 
struck me about five minutes ago, when I heard th?m 
talking about your feats on the stage. Will you help me, 
11 you can ? J f t 

Clip. Of course I will ! But what on earth 

tl.. !n^^^ ' '^" y°"- "^o" ^'^ a book niysterv near 
rnir t, ^°"'' P"f°™ance last Saturday,-an experi- 

Z L?"'^-.^" ^°""<^ °"' ^ *°=«n word, which some 
one had written on paper and had locked inside a metal 

Cup. Yes! A simple psychology experiment 



THE CONJURER 15 

Steele. That's it. Just how much preparation would 
you need, in order to do that trick here this evening? 
Clif. Absolutely none ! I could do it anywhere, at 

any time. - ,• , i 

Steele. Good. Will you do it for us a little later, 
if some one asks you? 

Clif. Of course I will. I always come ready to do 
two or three experiments, if I am asked. But, Inspector, 
what on earth 

Steele. Listen. You'll do it once. Understand? 
Then I want Colonel Anderson to declare that the trick 
is a fake,— that it could not be done except with certain 
kinds of words. You will declare that it could, no matter 
what words were chosen. We will both express great 
doubt of that. Now, you are a good actor. You must 
be natural. I want you to remark, in a perfectly or- 
dinary, unaffected manner, that you could do it,— even if 
Dr. Gordon Peak should write his process for amyl 
trench gas ! 

And. Inspector, that's the cleverest scheme I ever 

heard! ,^ ^ . 

Clif. Ah, now I understand it! But, Mr. Steele, 
you— you don't want me to let him write it ! 

Steele. No! No! Not under any circumstances I 
I simply want you to suggest this,— to put the thought 
suddenly into every one's mind. 

Clif. By Jove, that's clever! Then you intend to 
use your power to read expressions 

Steele. You have it. And if any one makes a slip, 
we'll get him! Remember, nothing but the suggestion. 
Dr. Peak would never consent to anything more, anyway. 
And, Colonel, we'd better tell the doctor of this before 

we try it. ^ .,,11 u 

And. I wouldn't! He has been ill to-day; he would 

probably be unnatural about it, and spoil the whole test. 

Take my advice ^,.rr -, ^ i_ 

Steele. Here they are. Now, Clifford, please be 

natural ! 

Enter Marion, Ellen, Edith, Dorothy, Driscoll 
Wells, Dr. Gordon Peak, Frank Gleason, and 



l6 THE CONJURER 

Hamilton Warwick. Wells is conversing with 
Dr. Peak. Dr. Gordon Peak is a tall, frail man, 
about the age of Colonel Anderson. The notice- 
able roundness of his shoulders, his rather pale 
countenance, his hair which has begun to turn gray, 
and the slight nervousness of his speech and man- 
ner, — all bear witness to the years of toil which he 
has spent in the laboratory. 

Wells. I suppose you'll be astounded by this, Dr. 
Peak, but even now I don't know the first thing about 
your discovery. 

Dor. We have all heard so much, and we don't 
really know a thing about it ! 

(Dr. Peak has started to reply, but he stops instantly 
when Dorothy Elmstrom addresses him. He an- 
swers her a bit stiffly. ) 

Dr. Peak. There is not very much that I feel I can 
say, Miss Elmstrom. Oh, good-evening, Mr. Clifford 

{He conies^ forward and shakes hands with him.) 

Wells. But — er — do I understand that you have dis- 
covered some kind of poison. Dr. 

Peak. Oh, yes, Mr. Wells. Yes, it is a poison. Or, 
rather, I have merely discovered the process by which 
amyl nitrite can be converted into this substance. 

Wells. Oh, amyl nitrite. 

Steele. Certainly an excellent basis for any trench- 
bombing compound. 

Wells. But just what is the effect of this amyl com- 
pound, Dr. Peak? 

Peak. It is really very much the same as in the use 
of amyl nitrite, except that the result is much more seri- 
ous. There is a very great acceleration of the beating of 
the heart, accompanied by a pounding sensation in the 
head, and dizziness. Perhaps some of you have had ex- 
perience with amyl nitrite. 

War. Ah, yes, indeed! The stuff they use to pre- 
serve bananas ! 



THE CONJURER 1 7 

Steele (laughing).' Not exactly that, Lieutenant 
Warwick, although its odor is somewhat the same. I 
have used it a little. It brings an indescribable sensation. 
It — it .frightens one ! 

Peak. That is exactly what I have counted upon. I 
had designed it especially for use just before a charge 
upon an enemy trench. The compound is expensive, and 
could not be used for ordinary gas work. 

Glea. Then you had intended it to be thrown by the 
men in our trenches ? 

Peak. Precisely. Suppose that our soldiers have 
planned a surprise attack. A bomb loaded with this new 
substance is thrown into the enemy's trench, and ex- 
plodes. My process makes the new gas heavier than 
air. It would sink into the trench, and the present form 
of gas mask coiild not neutralize its effect. 

Clif. But is this gas deadly? 

Peak. Indeed it is. In excess it would stimulate the 
heart so much that death would occur almost instantly. 
But suppose that the enemy received only a part of its 
full effect. They would be dizzy. Their hearts would be 
pounding at a terrific pace'. Accurate shooting would be 
out of the question. Add to that a terrible feeling of 
fear which they could not explain. When our attack 
came 

Clip. By Jove, this is wonderful, Dr. Peak ! 

Marion. And to think that Germany can do nothing 
against it ! 

Steele (quickly). Yes, indeed, if we could think 
that. 

Dor. Do you believe there is some means of their pre- 
paring against this? 

Peak. But, Mr. Steele, I've spent months on just that 
one question ! I don't see what they could do ! 

Steele. There is just one thing that they could do. 
That would be to gain the secret of this compound, and 
later return the gas upon our own soldiers ! 

(Dr. Peak gives a little start, and stares at the In- 
spector. ) 

Ellen. Hamilton, what a terrible thought ! 



l8 THE CONJURER 

Peak. Oh! {He hesitates.- Then, in a slightly 
changed tone. ) Then you mean — spies ? 

Steele. Exactly. 

Glea. {with a laugh). You can't be serious! 

War. I really think this is all nonsense, Mr. Steele. 
All this talk of spies! Why (laughing), you know, I've 
never met a single spy since I enlisted I 

Wells. But seriously, Mr. Steele! 

Steele. I was never more serious. 

Peak. Have you been expecting Germany to attempt 
to steal this? 

Steele. Dr. Peak, you realize that Germany must 
know what you have done. Do you expect them to re- 
main idle, when a determined effort might ward off this 
danger? I don't. And I firmly believe. Dr. Peak, that 
Germany will make that effort! 

Wells. Fm certainly thankful that I'll not have to be 
in the trenches ! 

Peak. You were exempted, of course. 

Wells. Yes. My eyes, you understand. 

Edith. Besides, music could never get along without 
you! 

Peak (turning to Clifford). Your eyes, also, I 
imagine, Mr. Clifford. 

And. (quickly). Not such a very good guess for a 
former heart specialist, Doctor. 

Peak. Indeed! (Thoughtfully.) Then, of course, 
you would not be justified in running such a risk. 

And. And Mr. Clifford, also, is doing a great work 
which could hardly spare him. To change the subject 
from Avar, and from spies, Doctor, — perhaps you have 
heard of " Professor Harkman." 

Peak. I should say that I have ! (He turns to Clif- 
ford zvith new interest.) I have certainly heard of you, 
and of the funds you are raising for our army. I knew 
I had seen your face ! 

Clif. You've attended one of the performances ? 

Peak.^ Indeed I have. (He shows almost as much 
interest in the affair as the young people.) And let me 
tell you, Mr. Clifford, that your performance was the 
most marvellous, uncanny affair that. I ever witnessed! 



THE CONJURER 19 

Why, from the moment that I first saw that — that in- 
human book mystery of yours, I knew I could never 
rest until I knew how it was done ! 

And. That certainly was a clever piece of work ! 

Edith. Why, what was this? 

And. (laughing). I don't expect you people who 
haven't seen it will believe this. But it's the truth. This 
wizard (indicating Clifford) was blindfolded and was 
seated in a chair with his back to the audience. Mean- 
while, one of the spectators chose a word at random from 
a large book, wrote it upon a small slip of paper, and 
himself locked it inside a metal box. George then took 
the book, and asked the gentleman three simple questions 
on some other subject. He never went near that box, 
but the man opened it and found the paper absolutely 
blank ! And at the same instant George deliberately an- 
nounced the chosen word ! 

War. Colonel, that is — unbelievable ! 

And; But I saw him do it. 

Dor. So did I. 

Peak. I should like to know how that thing was ever 
done! 

And. Well, now 

Dor. (at the same instant). Why, / thought 



And. Pardon me. Miss Elmstrom. What was your 
idea about it ? 

Dor. Oh, no, please tell your solution first. I — I 
don't believe mine is right. 

And. Well, in the first place, the whole affair was a 
fake. 

Clif. Afakef (In exaggerated surprise.) Colonel! 

Peak. To me it's supernatural, that's all ! 

Clif. Dr. Peak, there was absolutely nothing super- 
natural about that experiment. It was merely science, — 
scientific psychology. 

(An exclamation of ridicule from Gleason.) 

And. (with a hearty laugh). Scientific deception, per- 
haps, George ! The thing was a stage trick, and could 
be done only by stage devices. 



20 THE CONJURER 

Clip No, Colonel. ' It is a scientific, mental phenome- 
non, and could be done in any room, at any time. 

War. a most improbable statement ! 

And. You want us to believe that? In any ordinary 

room, without {He hesitates.) Well, for instance, 

m this room ! 

Clip. Yes, indeed. In this room. 

Dor. Oh, Colonel Anderson, let him try it ! 

Peak {with real interest). Please do, Colonel 

And. He can't do it ! It's preposterous ' 

Clip. It is the truth. 

{Incredulotis exclamations.) 

And. Show us, then ! What do you need ^ 
.u^"^- ,f^°^^^^^f except half of the room. I'd like 
that smaller table, too, with the electric lamp on it 
(Colonel Anderson brings it. ) Right here, please, near 
the center of the room. Thank you. Colonel. I'm ready 
now, if you people would be kind enough to move vour 
chairs over to that side of the room. 

{He indicates the side to the left of the table.) 

And. You'll need a chair to use yourself, of course. 
'^LiF. 1 11 take this large one, if I may. 

{He places it about ten feet from the table, near the 
door at r., with his back toward the table.) 

Wells. You're a wizard if you can do It ' 
Dor. He can ! 
. Clif. Now, since we haven't any box to lock the paper 

fi.-'^T' /S^' ^*"^^ ^ minute, now! We have that very 
tnmg ! {He goes to a bookcase in the corner at r ) Here 
IS a wooden box {indicating a dark, highly polished box 
tZL"" ^jfi '"^''"'A ^^ ^^^^^^ ^ keep ^^^"^ble photo- 
fZi; Vlf ^ ^^'^' ^^^ ^ ^^^e the key here. {He 
/r^^f/^cW .f^'^^^ ^^^ '''' '^'' ^o^on the little 

not nn / ^^'' ^T^- ) ^^^'^^ "se this, George. And it's 
not one of your doctored stage-boxes! 



THE CONJURER 21 

Clip, {laughing). Very well. I'll need one thing 
more. A book, from which some one will choose a word. 

And. Oh, yes, indeed. Just take your choice from 
the bookcase beside you there. No ! Wait ! I'll choose 
one for you! {He goes to the bookcase, and takes a 
large black volume from the lower shelf.) Here, this is 
" Military Chemistry." {He lays it on the little table.) 

Clif. Now, then, friends, we are ready for the ex- 
periment. I should like to have you bear carefully in 
mind that I do not make the slightest claim that I have 
superhuman mind-reading power. This is not sorcery. 
It is an experiment in the psychology of the mind, and is 
scientific in its method of execution. 

Peak. Would you please explain more fully, Mr. 
Clifford? 

Clif. I'll try. I know Mr. Steele understands this 
principle. You have all heard of his methods. It is 
well known that a guilty person cannot talk to Inspector 
Steele ten minutes without betraying himself. That is 
Mr. Steele's science. This is my science, and its basic 
principle is the same. (Dorothy Elmstrom stares at 
Inspector Steele in wonder. Clifford, to Colonel 
Anderson.) I'm sorry, but I am still subject to that 
old magicians' superstition against performing with a 
light at my back. Would it — could you manage to ar- 
range it so that the electric lamp on the table would be 
the only light? 

And. Aha! So your science won't stand too much 
light! {He laughs.) Well, we'll have to give you a 
chance. 

{He goes to the door at l., and turns one side of the 
switch on the wall. The lights in the room, go out, 
with the exception of the lamp on the table. The 
light from this lamp is not exceptionally bright.) 

Clif. Thank you. Now, of course it would be more 
interesting to the others if they could know what word 
you are choosing. I'll go out, while you make your 
choice. 

{He goes out to R., closing the door behind him. 



22 THE CONJURER 

Colonel Anderson picks up the hook, and opens It 
at random.) 

Glea. Suppose you give him a taste of his own 
" science," and choose a scientific term. 

And. (lozuering his voice). Here — here is a chemical 
name. It's really a compound word, or two words. It 
is '* rubidium oxide." 

Peak. Rubidium oxide. That's good. 

Ellen. Please, what is that? 

War. Oh, — er — something like the ox-eyed daisy, I 
presume ! 

And. (going to the door). Come in, George, 

(Clifford reenters.) 

Clip. Now we are ready. Colonel, you will write 
the word. We'll need a small slip of paper, and a pen. 

And. (feeling in his pocket). I'm sorry, but I'll have 
to borrow both. Has any one 

Clif. Here. This little block will do. And here's 
a pen, if you haven't one there. (He hands the Colonel 
a small pad of paper, and a fountain pen. He then draws 
a handkerchief from his pocket.) Will some one volun- 
teer to blindfold me? 

And. I'll do it myself. (He follows Clifford to the 
large chair. Clifford seats himself with his hack to the 
table. Colonel Anderson ties the handkerchief over 
Clifford's eyes, and returns to the tahle.) Now, I am 
to write the chosen word on a sheet of this paper, place 
the paper in the box, and lock the box. Of course I may 
hold the key myself. 

Clif. (lurning his head). Certainly. 

And. Good. (He takes the pen and tries to write.) 
Agh ! Fm afraid 

Clif. Oh, if s an old pen, Colonel ; perhaps you can't 
use it. I always have to bear on quite hard. 

(Colonel Anderson zvrites quickly upon the hlock. 
Then, laying down the pen, he tears off the written 
sheet, drops it into the hox on the table, and locks 
the cover.) 



THE CONJURER 23 

And. There ! George, do your worst ! 

(Clifford rises, and removes the handkerchief from 
his eyes.) 

Clif. Very well. (He comes forward to the table, 
while all watch him intently. Colonel Anderson stands 
close by the box.) I wish all of you to observe that I do 
not go near the box at any time, or even glance at it. My 
knowledge will come from the book itself. 

Wells. Incredible ! 

(Clifford takes the book from the table, gathers up 
his pen and block, and again seats himself in his chair 
with his back toward the table. He opens the book 
upon his knees, and turns his head.) 

Clif. Now, Colonel, I am going to ask you three ques- 
tions, which you must answer as best you can. This is 
the vital stage of the whole experiment. 

And. Do you ask me to believe that my answers will 
tell you that word ? 

Clif. Precisely. Try as you may, you cannot pre- 
vent it. If you do not actually use the particular word in 
your replies, the effort to avoid this will be so great that 
I shall be able to learn what you have written. 

Wells. Mr. Clifford ! 

Dor. I've seen him do it ! 

Clif. {over his shoulder). First question: Has the 
chemist a good chance for advancement in the army ? 

And. {carefully choosing his words). He has cer- 
tainly every chance. 

Clif. Question two : How extensively have you 
studied in music? 

And. In music ! Why, not at all. That is, I play the 
piano a very little. 

Clif. Question three: What, in your opinion, is the 
greatest scientific discovery of the past three years? 

And. Unquestionably, Dr. Gordon Peak's gas com- 
pound ! 

Clif. {closing the book with a bang, and rising). 
That completes the experiment ! Colonel Anderson, you 



24 THE CONJURER 

will now find that the paper on which you wrote the word 
is absolutely blank,— \hdii I have withdrawn the writing! 

(Anderson springs forward and unlocks the box. 
The others are on their feet in excitement. He 
seizes the paper inside the box.) 

And. By ginger, it's blank! It's blank! (He holds 
It up m plain view of all. ) The writing has gone ' 

^"^- , ^.^^' Colonel— gone. And, before it went it 
was rubidium oxide " ! ' 

{A start from every one, followed by immediate and 
generous applause.) 

Wells. That's marvellous ! Simply marvellous ' 
Edith. It's wonderful ! 

{Gi.E.AS0^ steps forward and scrutinizes the blank slip 
which Colonel Anderson has laid upon the table.) 

Peak {coming forward). Wonderful enough,— but 
would you care to explain just why 

{He checks himself.) 

Wells. Oh, what is it. Dr. Peak? You see how he 
did It? 

(Clifford, smiling, meets Peak's gaze.) 

Peak. Oh, merely a suspicion, Mr. Wells. {He 
turns /o Clifford.) It isn't quite fair to you, Mr. Clif- 
tord. I ve seen you do that trick three times, you know. 
1 11 let the others work it out. 

.t,-^^^^- ,^^ 7^^^ ^'^^' ^^- Pea^- And now, Colonel, I 
think you'll admit that 

.n^pu .^''' """ • ^^ ^^"^^^' "° • This thing is a fake, 
ana l n stake my reputation on it ' 
Clif. a fakeF 

the^kty r* ^""^^ ^^^^''' ^^'^ ^^'^"^ ^^'^^ ^^^' ^"d he^^ 

Ste^ele^ ^' '"'''"' ^' ^ ^^^^' ^^^* ^° ^^^ '^Y' Mr. 



THE CONJURER 25 

Steele. Well, that is the cleverest thing I ever saw 
done. I don't know how he does it. 

War. To tell the truth, it's puzzling me! 

And. George, I don't believe you yet ! That's no 
science ! You did it by the book ! By ginger, that's it ! 
The mark of my finger in the book! 

Clip, (laughing). Colonel, that's absurd! 

And. Now, look here ! If that " science " of yours 
is real, you can do this triok without the book, — with any 
word or sentence ! Now, what do you say to that ? I 
challenge you to do it without the book I 

Glea. There, that's the real test, Colonel ! 

Clif. Your suspicion is entirely wrong. I can do this 
experiment with any sentence, — from any source, — of 
any nature. This is not a stage " book trick " ; it is cold, 
infallible science. (Dr. Peak catches his breath sud- 
denly. ) You don't believe that, Doctor ? 

Peak. I can't believe it ! You tell me that you could 
find out any sentence, on any subject, which I should 
choose to write on paper, — no matter what it was ? 

Clif. (slowly). No matter what it was! (He hesi- 
tates.) Even if — even if you should write the process 
for amyl trench gas! 

(A start of surprise from all.) 

Wells. Oh, Dr. Peak, what a chance for real excite- 
ment! 

(Steele is watching every face.) 

Clif. Of course you wouldn't really write it ! 

Peak (laughing). Oh, of course not! But for that 
matter, I could very easily outline the process in ten 
words, or less. But of course 

Wells. It's the hardest test any one could give him. 
Dr. Peak ! 

And. Doctor, he'd be helpless ! 

Marion. Father, he mustn't think of doing that ! 

Peak. Oh, of course I wouldn't, Marlon. That is 
out of the question. But, just the same, I know he could 
never succeed! (He hesitates. The others are breath- 



26 THE CONJURER 

less. Very gradually, a slight change comes over his 
features. ) Well — well, — why not ? {He glances around 
the room.) We're all friends here. We all know Mr. 
Clifford, and trust him. 

And. You mustn't even consider this. Doctor. I was 
crazy when I thought of it. To write your secret on 
paper ! 

Peak. I know. But we're really safe here, you 
know. And the enjoyment 

Steele. We never know when we're safe, Dr. Peak. 

And. You haven't really any intention of doing, it ! 

Steele. If you have, — dismiss it. 

Wells. But think — among our friends here. Why, 
{he laughs) we could imagine a regular spy-scene! 

Ellen. Oh, wouldn't that be great! 

War. I say, that would be romantic ! 

Peak {slowly). Mr. Clifford, would you be willing 
to undertake this? 

Clip. Why, — I — why 

{He shoots a questioning glance toward Steele.) 

And. Doctor, we'll not consider this ! It isn't right, 
and we cannot allow it ! We can't run chances with our 
nation's secret! We can't risk America's safety, — for 
our enjoyment! 

Peak. But, Colonel, I Oh, what is the use of 

taking this matter seriously? Why, {laughing) he can't 
even find out the words ! 

Steele. Dr. Peak, it is very wrong ! The secret of 
amyl trench gas is yours, and the Government's. When 
you risk its safety in any such affair as this, you are false 
to your American trust ! You must not do it ! 

Peak {a trifle ojf ended). Inspector Steele ! "I 

Wells. Mr. Steele, don't be a spoil-sport! We're 
dealing with friends here, — not enemies. I imagined you 
understood that. 

(Steele stands in silence for a moment.) 

Steele. Very well. Dr. Peak. I'll not interfere 
again. But let me merely remind you that the secret is 
now America's, — not yours. 



THE CONJURER 2/ 

Peak. Listen, please I have thought of a scheme 
which will make this affair entirely safe If Mr Uif- 
Cd should succeed in discovering what I shall wi it e he 
will not announce the sentence aloud, as he did before. 
That would be foolish. He will write it out, and show 
it to me alone. All of you may depend upon me to give 

^ ANJ^^'why, that's a fine idea. Doctor ! There's noth- 
ing objectionable there. Is there, Mr Steele.' 

Steele. I shall not interfere again. Colonel Ander- 

son. ^ ^.u- •? 

And George, do you want to try this r _ , 

Clif. (after hesitating a moment, and glancing again at 
Stffle^ Yes I'll do it. 

And. Good! I shall stand here by the box, and act 
as ooliceman. Doctor, we are ready. , , . , 

Peak Then I'll ask the others to take their places 
aeain That is quite essential this time. {All except 
pLk, Colonel Anderson and C^i^FORVtake the^r orig- 
inal positions in their chairs,) Now, first of all. Mi. 
Clifford, I am far from satisfied with some of your ar- 
rangements. 

Clif. What do you mean, please t 
Peak In the first place, the electric lamp on the 
table There are four bulbs in it, but only two are 
lighted. (He goes to the table.) I don't imagme there 
is^ny need for a dim light. {He screws all four bulbs 
around very carefully for several seconds, until all four 
are lighted. When these are finally adjusted to his satis- 
faction, he examines the bottom of the table.) Colonel, 
you will please hold the key of the box, as before. Now, 
Mr. Clifford, if you'll hand me the pen and paper, 1 am 
ready ! 

Clif. Right here. 

(He glances around the room. All the others are 
seated. He lays the block and pen on the table for 
Dr. Peak.) 

Glea You are omitting the blindfolding this time? 
Peak. No, indeed! I shall attend to that myself. 



28 THE CONJURER 

{He follows Clifford to the large chair.) No. Fd pre- 
fer to use my own handkerchief, if you don't mind. 
(Clifford seats himself, back toward the table, as before. 
Dr. Peak ties a handkerchief over his eyes and returns 
to the table. ) Friends, — we are ready ! 
Wells. Now we'll see the test ! 

{There is a moment of suspense. Dr. Peak takes up 
the block and pen from the table. He hesitates.) 

Peak. I am not going to write near this table ! 

{He takes the large book from the table, and goes 
quickly to His chair in the corner. {See Diagram I, 
on page j.) There is a breathless silence as he 
writes. He tears off the paper, rises, and comes 
quickly to the table. He replaces the pen and block 
on the table, drops the paper into the box, and in- 
stantly closes the box-cover. Colonel Anderson 
turns the key in the lock. Dr. Peak still keeps the 
book in his hand. ) 

Marion. It's done ! 

(Dr. Peak steps back quickly to a position of about 
five or six feet from the table, keeping his eyes upon 
the box. Some one in the back of the room gives a 
stifled exclamation of suspense. The positions of 
the various people at this moment are shown in the 
diagram on page j.) 

Peak. I don't intend that he shall use this book. 
Colonel, you have the key? 

And. I have! 

Peak. Then, Mr. Clifford, the process for amyl trench 
gas is in the box on the table ! We are ready ! 

Glea. {from his chair). Science, — we await you ! 

{Slowly Clifford rises. He turns, and pidls down the 
handkerchief from in front of his eyes. He hesi- 
tates. ) 

Marion {in terror). George, what is it? What is 
the matter? 



THE CONJURER ^9 

(The Colonel starts, and stares at CUFFOm There 
^ is an exclamation from Dorothy Elmstrom.) 

And. George! 

r Clifford staggers a step to one side His face is 

^ aALf/y. He is staring in terr^fied horror at some 

IhjeJat the other end of the room, f.^^^ ^f ^^' 

strength he tears the handkerchief from his fac and 

starts forward. He reels, and recovers himself . A 

gasp escapes his lips. The others, startled, spring to 

their feet. ) 

Peak {^starting forward), Mr. Clifford, are you ill? 

You're hurt! Help him! 

(He starts to rush to Clifford's aid, throwing the 
black hook across to the table as he runs, it lands 
upon the table with a hang, startling Colonel An- 
derson to action. Then, before Dr. Peak has taken 
more than tzvo steps, the light on the table goes out.) 

And. Who put out that light? - 

Steele. Colonel Anderson! Hold the box! Hold 
the box ! 

(Clifford dashes forward to the table in the darkness.) 
And. Don't let him fool you! It's part of his trick! 
(At the table there is the sound of a quick, furious 
struggle. There is a tearing of paper, the sound of a 
blow, and a gasp of pain from Clifford. Then m 
a flash, the main lights of the room snap on 1 ne 
positions are now as indicated in Diagram U, on 
page ? Colonel Anderson is still holding on to 
the black box. Wells is at his side. Marion has 
dashed past them, and has clutched Clifford s am. 
Dr Peak is at the other corner of the table. Beside 
him is Ellen Gleason. Dorothy Elmstrom has 
groped her way to the end of the table where the 
light stands. Edith Anderson and Warwick have 
not been able to get past the first row of chairs^ 
Inspector Steele, in the far corner, has just turned 



30 THE CONJURER 

on the lights from the switch. Gleason, also, about 
six feet away, is obviously in the act of running to 
the switch. Clifford is still staggering from side to 
side, breathing in great gasps. In his hand he holds 
the torn corner of a piece of paper. Dr. Peak, by 
the table, is staring, white with fear and dread, at 
the scrap of paper in Clifford's hand.) 

Marion. Father, he's ill ! It's his heart ! A glass of 
water ! 

(Edith hurries to the door at r. Warwick follows. 
Wells and Gleason race after them, calling for 
water. Steele tries in vain to keep them in the 
room.) 

And. Marion, he's all right! It's part of his game; 
he's fooling us ! {He springs forward and unlocks the 
box.) The paper's blank again ! He's done it ! George, 
you're a wonder ! 

Clif. {choking, but finding his voice with an effort). 
It's gone! It's gone! {He whirls toward Dr. Peak.) 
Doctor, your secret {Chokes.) 

Peak {wildly, still staring at the torn scrap of paper). 
What is gone? What do you mean? 

And. George, you can't mean 

Clif. {starting forward). I didn't get it! / didn't 

get it ! On my honor, I didn't Ogh ! — My head 

will burst! {He gasps again.) Doctor, some one has 
found out how I do this ! A thief has broken into my 
trick, — and has stolen your secret! 

(A gasp of horror from all.) 



CURTAIN 



ACT II 

SCENE.— The office of Inspector Steele. Saturday 
afternoon. The scene is a plain room. Door at R. 
leading to the waiting-room. Door at l. leading to 
Steele's inner office. At the back of the room, near r., 
there is a long table, upon which can be seen several 
pieces of small apparatus, a number of piles of books, 
and a telephone. Close at hand is a speaking-tube. 
Near the front, in the center of the room, is a smaller 
table, with chairs arranged around it. Among the 
pieces of apparatus on the long table, the largest is a 
black metal instrument about fifteen inches high and 
a foot square. From this instrument a set of wires 
leads to a series of seven peculiarly shaped black chairs, 
which are lined up along the wall near l. 

Enter Detective White, from r. He is a small, unas- 
suming man, about thirty years of age. He goes to 
the door . at l., and knocks. Inspector Steele 
opens it. 

White. Colonel Anderson has come, sir. 
Steele (entering, and closing the door). Oh, yes. 
Bring him right in. 

White. Yes, sir. [Exit to r. 

(Colonel Anderson enters immediately.) 

Steele. Good-afternoon, Colonel. Thank you for 
coming early. 

And. Not at all. I received your message at lunch- 
eon. Inspector, what are we to do? 

Steele (indicating a chair). Won't you be seated, 
please. (He seats himself at the table with the Colonel.) 
What are we to do, you say ? Why, recover that paper, 
that's all. 

31 



3a THE CONJURER ' 

And. Oh, Mr. Steele, I can't bear to think of it! 
Dr. Gordon Peak's secret — stolen, while he is my guest ! 
And what can we do now? You lost your only chance. 
Inspector, when you didn't detain the whole crowd at my 
home last night. 

Steele {shaking his head). No, no, Colonel. That 
wasn't any chance at all. What if we had made a search 
there ? 

And. We would have found that paper ! 

Steele. Be reasonable, please. You know several of 
your guests had rushed out of the room before I could 
stop them. At the first hint of a search that paper would 
have been destroyed, — and the secret have been gone 
completely. 

And. But if he destroyed it, then he couldn't use 

Steele. What of that ? You heard Dr. Peak say that 
the process could be outlined in at least ten words. You 
imagine that a man clever enough to take that paper as 
this thief did could not memorize ten words ! 

And. I — I guess you're right. But what have you 
done? 

Steele. Merely the logical thing. I called up my 
office directly after the theft last evening. By ten o'clock 
I had a squad of my operatives on hand, and they have 
" shadowed " every member of your party from the mo- 
ment that he or she left your house last night. Not one 
of your guests, Colonel Anderson, has had a single oppor- 
tunity of communicating with a German agent since the 
theft ! 

And. Good work ! I've noticed two men outside my 
house, too. But now what ? 

Steele. Now to arrest the thief, before he can make 
use of his knowledge. Of course you've kept this v-hole 
affair a secret, as I suggested. 

And. Absolutely. Certainly no one, except ourselves 
and my guests, knows that Dr. Peak's secret has been 
stolen. 

Steele. Good. Now, I have requested every member 
of your party to be here at this office at three o'clock. I 
expect Mr. Clifford earlier. Of course Dr. Peak is 
coming? 



THE CONJURER 33 

And. He is. He seems almost a nervous wreck to- 
day, but he intends to come. But what is your plan ? 

(Steele laughs slightly.) 

Steele. It's quite simple. The thief stole that paper 
by breaking into Clifford's trick at the critical moment. I 
intend to upset him at his own game. In other words, 
Clifford's scientific psychology will now discover the 
guilty person ! 

And. But, Inspector, that paper in the box was blank ! 
Blank, just as it was in the simple two-word experiment! 
{He leans forzvard in excitement.) What did that person 
steal ? 

Steele. I expect Clifford to answer that question. 
Frankly, I don't know. Meanwhile, I need more data. 
{He takes a sheet of paper from a drawer in the table.) 
I'm not certain that I have the real addresses of all your 
guests. 

And. Oh, I see. 

Steele. We'll take each one, in order. First of all, 
of course, your daughters Marion and Edith are now at 
your home. 

And. Certainly. 

Steele. And Dr. Peak himself, you said, is still your 
guest. I believe his own rooms are 

And. Oh, yes. On Central Street. I'm quite sure 
that the number is 285. {He consults a letter in his 
pocket. \ Yes, 285. 

Steele. Thank you. Then, your daughter's friend. 
Miss Elmstrom. 

And. She is still with us. 

Steele. Yes, I understand that. And her home 

And. Why, she hasn't any, yet. She intends music 
as a profession, and you know she's been in Berlin, study- 
ing, for four years. She — she is alone. Her father died 
when a yacht blew up, just before the war. 

Steele. Oh, — Henry Elmstrom. I knew him. A 
cliemist. And — er — now Mr. Wells, the musician. He 
lives on Everton Avenue, according to 

And. Yes. {Consults his letters again.) Near the 
up-town end. 28 Everton Avenue. Driscoll Wells. 



34 THE CONJURER 

Steele. Then Clifford. We'll omit him ; I expect him 
any minute. Captain Frank Gleason, and his sister, Miss 
Ellen Gleason. 

And. 490 West River Street. 

Steele. Yes. And Lieutenant Warwick. 

And. He is their neighbor. 476 West River Street. 

Steele {folding the paper). I am much obliged, 
Colonel. Now to return to the affair of last evening. 

Just before we 

Enter White. 

White. Mr. George Clifford is in the waiting-room, 
sir. 

Steele. Send him in at once. 

- {Exit White, holding the door open, and motioning 
Clifford to enter. Enter George Clifford. He is 
pale and nervous.) 

Clif. Inspector, this is all my fault! I hardly slept 
at all last night ! I've been to blame for every bit of this ! 
I 

And. Nonsense, George. We were all to blame for 
this! 

Clif. Oh, no, no! 

Steele. Clifford, please calm yourself. You are not 
in the least to blame. We were all out of our heads, to 
have let such an affair go on. 

Clif. You understand, I didn't know what to do when 
Dr. Peak agreed to let me try it. It startled me so ! I — I 
kept looking at you, Mr. Steele, to see if I should go on ! 
And then, when Colonel Anderson asked me if I wanted 
to do it, I — I thought it must be part of your plan that I 
should. 

Steele. We were all a set of bunglers, that's all. If 
you come right down to the real truth of it, it was Dr. 
Peak himself, not you, who was the most to blame. But 
we can't waste time now. Putting all " science " aside 
for the present, I must know your exact method, step by 
step, for performing that trick. 

Clif. Of course. {He takes a chair at the table.) 

And. I can't see how you ever did it ! 



THE CONJURER 35 

Clif. Well, it's remarkably simple. In the first place, 
after you had written the two words on the slip of paper, 
the writing disappeared while the paper was in the box. 

Steele. Disappearing ink, of course. Probably very 
dilute. 

Clif. Of course. Both the Colonel and Dr. Peak 
wrote on the paper with my own pen. 

And. But that would merely cause its disappearance. 
How on earth did you ever learn the words ? 

Clif. {taking a small block of paper from his pocket). 
The block of paper is the answer. / furnished that, also. 
This is one just like it. Here, look under the fourth sheet 
from the top. 

And. Oh ! Carbon paper ! 

Clif. Sensitive carbon paper. You had to bear on a 
little with the pen. You see what happened when you 
wrote upon the top sheet. A clear copy on the fifth 
sheet. When I took the book to the chair with me, for 
the second part of the trick, I carelessly gathered up the 
pen and block from the table, and — you see 

Steele. Very simple now. Then the thing that was 
stolen was this block of paper, containing the duplicate 
of Dr. Peak's writing. 

Clif. That's exactly what happened. Of course this 
duplicate is of just as much good to the thief 

And. Of course! Of course! By ginger, no one 
would ever have suspected such a simple explanation ! 

Steele. It's very evident that some one did suspect 
it. Whoever stole that secret knew the trick, and knew 
that the vital information was hidden in that little block 
on the table. Now, Clifford, please think over this ques- 
tion. Did you, at any time during the first of the two 
experiments, see the slightest indication that any one 
might have suspected the real use of the block? 

Clif. (slowly). Why, I — why, no, I don't believe I 
did. I'm sure I didn't ! For a minute once I was almost 
afraid that Dr. Peak himself had noticed it, — he had seen 
the trick twice before, you know, — but I'm — I'm very 
sure I didn't see any one else. 

Steele. Very well. Now please tell me, very slowly 
and carefully, just what happened after you started that 



36 THE CONJURER 

second performance of the trick. And tell me every 

single thing you remember ! 

Clif. Oh, it's — the whole thing is a horrible jumble 
to me. It's all I can do to remember what happened ! I 
don't know why I ever agreed to do it ! 

Steele. Take your time, and tell me, step by step, 
just what you remember. 

Clif. Why, I — I started in just as usual. If I was 
more nervous than before, I didn't notice it. I gave Dr. 
Peak the block and pen. Then I went to my chair, where 
he blindfolded me, — after some one had reminded him of 
that. Then I heard him return to the table. He must 
have started to write the process there, for I remember 
that he said, " I am not going to write near this table ! " 

Steele. Those were his exact words. What then? 

Clif. He walked across the room somewhere. He 
must have gone to his chair by the wall while he wrote. 
Then I began to worry; I didn't know just how far you 
wanted me to go. Well, suddenly I heard Dr. Peak rise 
and return to the table. A moment later Colonel Ander- 
son turned the key in the box. 

And. Yes, yes. Go on ! 

Clif. Then Marion — Marion Anderson — said, " It's 
done ! " I remember that. I heard Dr. Peak walk back 
toward his corner. Some one gave an exclamation; I 
don't know who did it. Then Dr. Peak said, " I don't 
intend to have him use this book. Have you the key, 
Colonel?" 

And. That's right. I answered, '* I have ! " 

Clif. Dr. Peak said, ** Then the process for amyl 
trench gas is in the box. We're ready ! " Then some 
one, — and I can't remember who that was, — said, sar- 
castically, " Science, we await you ! " And then I knew 
that the biggest test had come ! {He takes a long breath.) 
Mr. Steele, I've never been nervous during a performance 
in my life. Never once! But just as I arose from the 
chair and turned around last night, and started to pull 
that handkerchief down from my eyes, — something went 
wrong! Oh, I — I can't describe it! I knew something 
frightful was bound to happen ! I felt a cold chill alL* 
over. My fingers shook, — and my heart jumped right 



THE CONJURER 37 

UP into my mouth. I tried to speak, and tell you that 
we'd have to give it up, but I couldn't. I was afraid, 
Mr Steele,— afraid, for the first time in my career as a 
magician ! And then I started toward the table,— and i 

looked up, and 

{He stops, and covers his eyes with his hands.) 

And. You saw that the little block was already gone 

from the table? , , ^,.„ , 

Steele. No, no, the block was there! Clifford was 
staring at the back of the room, over our heads. What 

did you see? , ., , t 4. « t^ 

Clif Oh— I It was horrible. Inspector! In 

my fear, I must have imagined it all. The— the big 

picture of General Grant on the wall by the door 

(He hesitates.) 

And. Yes, yes! What was it? 

Clif The whole picture started right out at me! 
Tumped right out, from its place on the wall ! I remem- 
ber the <^asp I gave. Then Marion called out to me. 1 
don't know where she was; it was a long distance away 
I heard Miss Elmstrom's voice, too. Then the Colonel 
called out, and that brought my mind to its senses^ I tore 
off the handkerchief, and started forward. Dr. Feak 
called to me; he thought I was ill. He threw the black 
book onto the table, and started toward me. And then— 
the light went out ! 

Steele. Just a minute, before you go on ! When you 
stared at the picture of General Grant, and saw it appear 
to jump toward you, did you see anything else that wasn t 
natural in the back of the room? 

Clif I— I don't know. It seems to me 

Steele. Please be sure of this. Was there anything 
else that wasn't right ? 

Clif It seems to me that there was. I can t remem- 
ber what, but I seem to recall that something else wasn t 
as it should be. I— I can't be sure of that. 

Steele. Very well. Go on. After the light went 
out you rushed to the table. 



38 THE CONJURER 

Clif. I recovered myself the instant I saw that lamp 
go out, and dashed forward to get that block. I knew I 
must have that, above all else! As I ran, I heard the 
others coming, too. I reached the table and groped for 
the block of paper. I found it, and clutched it in my 
hand, — and another hand closed over mine ! I struck at 
him, and missed. His other hand caught my throat. I 
fought; it seemed an age while I fought for that precious 
block. But I felt it torn away ! I tried to cry out, and 
I couldn't ! Then something else fell right on top of my 
hand, and dropped to the table. It was an envelope. It 
must have fallen from his pocket in our struggle. I 
snatched at that, but he struck me a blow on the head, 
and tore the envelope away, — all but one corner. I 
staggered back from the force of the blow, and then — 
then came the lights ! In an instant some one caught my 
arm. It was Marion. {He pauses.) You know the 
rest. 

Steele. Then you mean for us to understand, Clif- 
ford, that the scrap of paper which you were holding in 
your hand when I turned on the lights was hot a portion 
of the stolen block! It was a corner of the thief's own 
letter, which he had dropped, and 

Clif. Yes! Yes! It was an envelope! I have the 
corner here ! 

Steele {springing up). Then we have him! We 
have him ! Clifford, if any one ever tells you again that 
you haven't done your share for America 

Clif. . But it's only a corner. Inspector ! There's noth- 
ing on it 

Steele. We must see it, at once. 

Clif. Here. 

{He hands Steele a small scrap of paper. Colonel 
Anderson rises and comes forward eagerly. ) 

Steele. It is only the left-hand corner of an en- 
velope. 

And. But see that ! There's part of the address ! 

Steele. And also that there ! The first letter of the 
thief's first name, beyond a doubt. See that capital D. 

Clif. There's part of the next letter, too ! 



THE CONJURER 39 

Steele. Exactly. It might be an a, or it might be 
an e or an-o. 

And. I can't see that. It looks more like the be- 
ginning of an r. 

Steele. Quite right, Colonel Anderson. I'd give 
odds of three to one that it is an r. 

Clip. And there's part of the address ! 

Steele (thoughtfully). Yes, — 28. 28. But 28 what? 
Colonel, what one of your guests has a first name be- 
ginning with D, and lives at number twenty-eight on some 
street? (He consults the paper which Colonel Ander- 
son has prepared with him.) We'll have a look at this 
paper. D, r! 28! There! 

Clip. What? Who is it? 

Steele (reading slowly). Driscoll Wells, 28 Everton 
Avenue ! 

And. (with a violent start). Wells! 

Clif. By Jove, you must be right! He had been 
travelling in Europe, and 

And. But Wells! That harmless, good-natured lit- 
tle 

Clif. Who was it who pretended he hadn't heard of 
Dr. Peak's gas? Who kept asking him to explain more 
about its use? And who was the one who urged Dr. 
Peak again and again to let me try my science upon the 
amyl secret ? Inspector, you have him ! 

Steele. That's all very true. But how did he do it ? 

Clif. What do you mean ? He 

Steele. How did he do it? Colonel, you stood by 
that box from first to last. Before the light on the table 
went out, how could any one have moved forward from 
his original position? 

And. No one could, — except Dr. Peak himself. He 
threw aside his book and started toward George when 

Steele. And no one else? 

And. No one could have ! 

Steele. Then how did Wells put out that light ? 

Clif. He could have done it from the switch by the 
door, where you ran. 

Steele. Without being seen by those in the chairs 
back of him, and by me ? 



40 THE CONJURER 

And. But I'll swear that second letter is an r. And 
the address, — 28 ! 

Steele. We'll never prove one thing on any such 
evidence as this. And proof we must have. Nothing 
but an arrest, and an immediate arrest, will save that 
secret. 

Clip. But, Mr. Steele, what can we do? 

Steele. Ah, you and I together, Clifford, may work 
wonders yet ! Who knows ? 

Clif. You and I ! 

Steele. Exactly. You said last evening that you 
were only waiting for the chance — for a time when you 
could make a real sacrifice for America, as our soldiers 
are doing. 

Clif. Of course! But, please, what means have 

Steele {zvith a little laugh). I'm afraid you've for- 
gotten. {He pauses.) Science will do marvellous things, 
you know. 

Clif. By Jove ! You think it can be done — that way ? 

Steele. I know it can ! But wait. You realize that 
this thief will do his level best to thwart you, and to fight 
you. Are you willing to take the chance? 

Clif. I'm ready. 

Steele. Even if this criminal should — try to take 
your Hfe? 

(Clifford gives a start. Slowly he squares his 
shoulders.) 

Clif. No matter what he may do, — I'm with you ! 

And. That's what I knew you would say ! 

Steele. Of course we knew it. {He takes the corner 
of the envelope from the table, and hands it to Clifford.) 
Put this in your pocket, please. 

Enter Marion Anderson and Dorothy Elmstrom 
from R. 

Marion. Oh, here's father, in here. I wondered 



And. Marion, I think Mr. Steele would prefer to have 
you wait 



THE CONJURER 4I 

Steele. Oh, that won't matter a particle, Colonel. 
Be seated, please. (Marion and Dorothy take chairs 
at the small table. ) Colonel, I must have you in the inner 
office for about two minutes. {He leads Colonel An- 
derson to the door at l. ) Clifford, I shall want you here, 
also, very soon. 

(Colonel Anderson and Steele go out.) 

Marion. George, have you found it? 

Clip. Why, — no, Marion! We couldn't expect to, 
yet. We haven't had all the guests here, or 

Marion. Oh, but you should have found it! You 
should, by this time! {She goes to Clifford.) George, 
can't you see that if you don't they'll find more slighting 
things to say to me ? 

Dor. But, Marion, we couldn't expect him to have 
done everything so soon. 

Marion. But it needn't have taken you so long, 
George. 

Clip. Marion, we must do the thing the safe way. 
The doctor's secret must be recovered, whatever else 

Marion. Oh, I don't care ! I should think you'd get 
it done quickly, for my sake ! 

Dor. {placing her hand upon Marion's shoidder). 
Marion, dear, is that what you really want him to do? 
To consider you before America? 

Marion {hesitating). Oh, — I But, Dorothy, you 

don't understand! Ellen Gleason called up this noon. 
And Frank has been horrid again this morning. 

Clif. What has he said ? 

Marion. Oh, he — he said it was all your fault that 
the paper was stolen. He blamed it all upon your — your 
" silly nonsense," as he called it. He told Ellen he 
thought I — I was foolish, to — to have anything more to 
do with you, and 

Clip, {hotly). Then Gleason will take that back ! 

Dor. Oh, you shouldn't mind Captain Gleason, — 
either of you ! Mr. Clifford is going to find out who stole 
that secret, and give it back to Dr. Peak again, and catch 
the man who took it ! I'm sure of that ! 



42 THE CONJURER 

Clif. Oh, Miss — Miss Elmstrom, this is kind of you ! 

Enter Edith Anderson, suddenly, from r. At the same 
instant Colonel Anderson and Steele enter from 
the inner office. 

Steele. Clifford. For about two minutes. 

[Exit Clifford, with Steele. 

And. Oh, hello, Edith. But where — where's Dr. 
Peak? 

Edith. He's coming. He started to come with me, 
but that Mr. Morris came in just as we were ready. I 
heard them talking about a lawsuit or something when 
I left. 

And. Oh, it's that dealer again, — the one who sup- 
plied Dr. Peak's laboratory. Can't they stop hounding 
the poor man even now? 

Edith. But no one has heard anything about the 
theft, you know. 

Warwick {from the doorway at R.). I say, Wells, 
old fellow, they must be in here. 

Enter Lieutenant Warwick and Driscoll Wells. 

And. Oh, good-afternoon, Mr. Wells. Hello, Hamil- 
ton. 

Wells. It's rather unexpected to find so many of you 
here. 

Edith. You came down with Lieutenant Warwick? 

Wells. Yes; he called around for me. 

War. And would you believe this, Colonel? A man 
in a little black runabout began to follow us from the 
moment we started, and he's down-stairs in this building 
now ! You know, I think that's scandalous ! 

Enter White, with Clifford and Steele. Steele 
glances slowly around the group. 

Steele. Not present yet, Captain Gleason, — and Miss 

Gleason, — and 

White {going to the door). Dr. Gordon Peak, sir. 

[Exit. 



THE CONJURER 43 

Enter Dr. Peak. He seems even a little paler than be- 
fore; it is plain that his nerves have been shaken. 

Steele. Come right in, Dr. Peak. And do sit down ; 
you seem tired. {He places a chair for him.) 

Peak. Oh, thank you, I'm not tired. But what — 
you've found out something? 

Steele. We intend to find out everything, very soon, 
Dr. Peak. I am only waiting for two more to arrive. -' 

Peak. But, Mr. Steele, the police know nothing of 
this theft. Don't you think 

Steele. It is quite essential that they should know 
nothing of it. 

Peak. But I am thinking of the officials at Washing- 
ton. They've not had even a statement of the loss. We 
can't keep the Government in the dark. Inspector. These 
facts must be made public, and at once ! 

Steele. I'm sorry. For the present we must keep 
every one, even the Government, in the dark. 

Peak. Mr. Steele ! Kindly remember that the stolen 
secret was mine, — at least half mine, — and that 

Steele {firmly). I'm afraid I must remind you that 
I represent the Government, which owns the other half. 
I'm very sorry. Dr. Peak. {He hesitates.) And I'll 
agree to this. If Clifford and I don't succeed in discover- 
ing the thief by to-night at the latest, I'll very gladly make 
the matter public to-morrow. 

White {entering). Miss Gleason, and Captain Glea- 
son, sir. [Exit. 

Enter Ellen Gleason and Captain Frank Gleason. 

Steele. Good-afternoon, Miss Gleason. Come in. 
Captain. (Steele walks slowly to the table in c.) I 
think, friends, that we are now ready to begin. Of course 
you all know why I have summoned you. Dr. Peak's 
amyl gas secret must be recovered, and the person who 
stole it last evening must be arrested, — to-day. {He 
glances slowly around the group.) I have asked you to 
come here at three o'clock. This afternoon I intend to 
carry out a special test here, with the assistance of Mr. 
George Clifford. I shall start now. The person who 



44 THE CONJURER 

committed the theft last evening had only to run to the 

table to do so. Some one did that, and grappled with Mr. 
Clifford. Clifford, could any one present have done that ? 

Clif. Any one, very easily, after the light had been 
put out. 

Steele. Exactly. Nov^, besides Dr. Peak, Mr. Clif- 
ford, Colonel Anderson, and me, there were seven people 
in the room last evening. I'm sorry to have to say this. 
I must suspect each one of you seven of being a possible 
traitor to America. (He pauses.) Any one of you could 
have stolen the duplicate of Dr. Peak's writing. 

Glea. Ah ! A duplicate ! So that's the secret of his 
" science " ! 

Steele. Not at all. Captain Gleason. For Clifford's 
science will reveal the thief before nine o'clock to-night ! 
Now I'll have to ask you seven 

And. Pardon me. Inspector. But — but haven't you 
overlooked something in deciding upon those seven ? 

Steele. I don't understand. 

And. I feel it my duty to remind you that I stood by 
the box on the table during the whole experiment, with 
the key in my possession. 

Marion. Of course you did, father! What of that? 

And. That depends upon what Mr. Steele wishes to 
make of it. 

Steele (slowly). I think. Colonel Anderson, that we 
may neglect that fact. 

And. (quietly). Thank you, Inspector. 

(Steele presses the hell for White. Enter White.) 

Steele. We'll have the pulse register in position now. 
(White begins to drag the special chairs out from the 
wall.) Be sure that the numbers coincide with the ones 
on the register. (He turns to the others.) This will be 
a scientific test of your knowledge a,nd feelings, by means 
of reading the action of the pulse. Each one of those 
chairs is provided with a delicate wrist appliance, which 
is connected by wires to the instrument of the large table. 
This test is infallible. No matter how the guilty person 
may try to conceal his feelings, he cannot hope to deceive 



THE CONJURER 45 

this apparatus. These chairs are numbered, and we shall 
take a record of the pulse action of each one of you. 
{He turns toward Clifford.) Clifford has been using 
his branch of science this morning in collaboration with 
mine. He has made several discoveries, all of a most 
startling nature. He will make known these discoveries 
when you have taken your positions in these chairs. 
White, is the apparatus ready ? 
White. It is connected, sir. 

{He has placed the seven chairs in regular rows, at 
some distance from the wall. There are two rows 
of three each, and one extra chair behind these. ) 

Steele. Miss Edith Anderson, would you kindly take 
seat number one,7— the farthest over in the first row. 
And Miss Marion Anderson, number two, beside your 
sister. 

Marion {hesitating, and gazing in apprehension at the 
apparatus). Oh, must — must I do this, too, Mr. Steele? 

Steele. I'm sorry. Miss Anderson. But I can't leave 
any one out. 

(Marion and Edith take their places. Dorothy Elm- 
STROM crosses with them.) 

Dor. Marion, you mustn't mind a little thing like this. 
You'll let me sit here beside Marion, I know, Mr. Steele. 

Steele {quickly). I'm sorry. Miss Elmstrom ! I 
have specially planned this first row, and I'll have to ask 
you to wait. 

Dor. {a trifle startled). Oh! Oh, I — beg your par- 
don. 

Steele. Lieutenant Warwick, will you kindly take 
number three, In the first row. (Warwick goes to the 
chair.) Thank you. White, please connect the wrist 
straps for those three. (White obeys.) Now number 
four, the farthest seat In the second row. Miss Gleason, 
please. And now, Miss Elmstrom, number five. (Miss 
Elmstrom, who is standing between Clifford and 
Dr. Peak in an attitude of deep perplexity, recalls her 



46 THE CONJURER 

thoughts with a little start when her name is called. She 
turns quickly, and goes rather nervously to her place, 
without noticing that she has dropped her handkerchief. 
Dr. Peak restores it to her.) There. The other two 
may be in any order. Whichever of you two gentlemen 

wishes ■ Oh, very well, Mr. Wells. Number six, on 

the end of this row. And now Captain Gleason, in num- 
ber seven, the extra seat. If you would be kind enough 
to remove your gloves. (Gleason places his gloves near 
the instrument on the large table, and takes his place. 
Steele assists White in the adjustment of the apparatus. 
When this is finished White goes to the instrument on 
the table. ) Now, Colonel Anderson and Dr. Peak, kindly 
be seated over here, on the other side of the small table. 
{He follows them across the room, and turns to face the 
others.) The large metal instrument on the other table 
will now make an accurate record of the various speeds 
of your pulses. If one should greatly exceed the others, 
that fact will be unerringly recorded. If at any time the 
speed of any one should become great enough to indicate 
a very marked feeling of suspense or apprehension, that 
apparatus will immediately give notice of the fact by a 
continued ringing of the bell in the box. And, White, if 
at any time I raise my hand, it is a signal for you to read 
off the indications as shown in the record. If I clap my 
hands, you are to close the switch instantly, and preserve 
the record as it then stands. Remember. When the bell 
rings, keep on until I clap my hands. Is that clear ? 

White. I understand, sir. 

Steele. Then you may open the switch. (White 
throws the switch.) Take one reading now. White. 

(Colonel Anderson leans forward in suspense.) 

White. All of the numbers are quite a little above 
normal, sir. But no single one is in advance of the 
others. 

Steele. That is natural. Clifford, you may begin. 

(Steele seats himself beside Colonel Anderson at 
the table, facing the group in the testing chairs,^ 



\ THE CONJURER 47 

Clifford steps out into the middle of the room, with 
a black note-book in his hand. White stands on 
duty at the instrument.) 

Clif. I intend to begin by a brief review of the events 
of last evening. I shall pay particular attention to the 
conversation which led up to my second, incompleted, 
performance of the word- reading experiment. {Pauses, 
and glances around the group. ) I was the one who was 
foolish enough to suggest an attempt to read Dr. Peak's 
process. Almost immediately Colonel Anderson and In- 
spector Steele very strenuously opposed any such pro- 
ceeding. Dr. Peak himself showed no inclination to run 
such a risk. But some one, — I don't remember who it 
was, — kept urging him to do this. He finally consented, 
feeling quite secure among Colonel Anderson's friends. 
You remember what happened then. Mr. Steele at once 
declared that it must not be done. The doctor was almost 
dissuaded, but some one again urged him to agree. That 
fact may mean nothing, and I don't remember who it 
was. But 

Edith. Why, George, that was 

Steele {cutting in quickly). Not now, Miss Ander- 
son ! Clifford must not be interrupted ! 

Clif. Friends, some one of you knew the secret of 
my mental experiment. One of you knew that if Dr. 
Peak should write his process and lock it in the box, the 
words would be accessible to any one who knew my ex- 
periment ! That person lay in waiting, among the others, 
while I was blindfolded. He waited while Dr. Peak 
wrote out his secret, and while Colonel Anderson locked 
the paper in the box. He then quietly withdrew from the 
others, who were too interested to notice him. He crept 
to the other end of the room. Then, at the instant when 
I was engaged in a great mental struggle to learn the 
words, he put out the light on the table, raced back in the 
dark, and stole the secret. {He takes a quick step for- 
ward.) Do you know who did that? / do! 

{Startled exclamations, Steele turns, and raises his 
hand.) 



48 THE CONJURER 

White {from the instrument). A slight increase in 
all seven, Inspector. No definite result! 

Steele. Very well. Go on, Clifford. 

Clif. During this morning, I have found out exactly 
what I wished to know. What happened just as the light 
went out last night ? Colonel Anderson was standing by 
the box. Dr. Peak was a few feet away, holding the 
book which he suspected of being the secret of my suc- 
cess. I arose, in the midst of a great mental struggle. 
Dr. Peak saw my eft'orts, and thought I was ill. He 
threw the book onto the table, and rushed toward me. 
Then it happened! The man at the switch put out the 
light. He raced back, and fought with me at the table. 
And then — he dropped an envelope! {Exclamations. 
Clifford opens his note-book.) I have one corner of 
that envelope here. {He holds it up.) Friends, on this 
scrap of paper is written the name of the person who 
stole Dr. Gordon Peak's discovery ! And the first part 
of that name is {He pauses.) 

(Steele again raises his hand.) 

White. Another increase on all seven. Nothing 



more 



And. By ginger, Mr. Steele, you must be wrong ! A 
guilty man could never stand that test ! 

Ellen. Please, Mr. Steele, let me take this frightfu' 
thing off my wrist ! 

War. Oh, I say, do. Inspector ! The thing's a beastly 
nuisance ! 

Steele. Is that all, Clifford? 

Clif. {quickly). No, that is not all! {He turns 
again to the others.) This envelope was dislodged from 
the thief's pocket. It fell to the table. He tore the rest 
away. But with it fell something more ! ( Steele gives 
a quick start of surprise. Colonel Anderson and Dr. 
Peak are both startled.) This second object was a 
card, — perhaps the card which had been inside this en- 
velope! The card fell to the floor under the table. It 
remained there, unseen, all night. This morning I 
searched the room, and 



\ 



THE CONJURER 49 



And. But, George, that table 



Steele. Silence, Colonel ! He shall not be inter- 
rupted ! 

Clip. From nine o'clock last evening until ten this 
forenoon that card lay hidden on the floor, unnoticed, 
unsuspected, — waiting to send the thief before a firing 
squad ! 

Peak {starting up from his chair). Clifford, it 
couldn't have been there last night ! It couldn't 

Steele. Dr. Peak, I beg you to let him tell us what 
he knows ! 

Clif. {taking a post-card from his note-hook). Here 
is the card ! One side is blank. {He holds it up.) This 
other side, which is the end of some one's message to this 
person, says this : " has told me that you returned the 
other day. I am so glad, and I sincerely trust that you 
enjoyed every day of your trip. How did you like the 
people of — — " 

( There is a loud, prolonged ringing^ from the apparatus 
on the long table. Steele turns like a flash, and 
claps his hands three times. ) 

Steele. We have him! We have him, this time! 
White, catch that record! 

(White throws the switch. The ringing stops.) 

Wliite. I have 'it, sir! 

Wells. O-o-o-oh ! 

Steele. Who made that sound? Who called out 
then? Mr. Wells, did you? 

Wells. I did, Mr. Steele ! I'll tell you ; I did it be- 
cause {He checks himself.) 

Steele. Then tell me. What was it ? 

Wells. I— I'll not be able to tell you, Mr. Steele ! 

Steele. You'll have to tell me ! I want to know why 
you called out ! Why did you make that sound ? 

Wells. I cannot answer! 

Steele. Then I'll ask the pulse register to tell me ! 

Wells {starting). Do you mean to 

Steele. That's quite enough about it, sir ! {He turns 



5® THE CONJURER 

to White.) Unfasten the wrist apparatus. Friends I 
will make known the result of this test at eight this even- 
ing. I shall expect you all to be here at that time. Until 
then you are at liberty. (The seven in the testina chairs 
arise with exclamations of relief, and hurry toward the 
door. Dorothy Elmstrom rises a bit unsteadily Clif- 
ford hastens forward, and assists her to the door) One 
moment, please. When I have examined the record in 
the pulse register I may find it advisable to see one of 
you at seven-thirty, instead of eight. That is all. (The 
seven people go out. Steele hurries to the speakinq 
tube. Steele, into the tube.) Hello, Harper? See 
that each of hose seven people just going out is carefully 
watched until this evening. That's all 

Hn^.^'^'f r^"""^^' T'^T ^""^ ^^^' ^"^ >^^^'^e the one who's 
done It ! I m proud of you ! 

Steele. _ But Clifford, answer me! That card— you 
never mentioned it to me ! When did you find it ^ 

CLiF^(/a^^^/„n^). Ten minutes ago, on the table in 
your office there! This side is blank {he holds it up) 
and this side is blank, too ! - ' 

(A start of amazement from Steele.) 
Peak. O-oh ! 

And. By ginger ! You bluffed him till he gave him- 
self away! 

Steele {seizing Clifford's hand) . - Clifford, Fm proud 
to know you, too ! 

Clif. It's Driscoll Wells! I made up that message, 
and It got him ! . ^ ' 

Steele. White, we'll have that record ! 

{He takes a paper from his pocket.) 

And. Wells cried out when he heard the bell ! 
Clif. And the instrument will show his guilt ' 
^ White {from the machine). Up to the last minute, 

\^tI T ^1^1 °"^^ ^ gradual increase for every number. 
When the bell rang 

Steele. Yes, yes ! 

White. When the bell rang, this one started at a 



THE CONJURER 5 1 

terrific pace, and rang the bell in ten seconds ! Inspector, 
the indicator was rung by number five ! 

(Steele himself gives a visible start.) 

Clif. Number five? 

Peak. Who was that ? Was that Wells ? 

And. {peering over Steele's shoulder) . No, by ginger ! 
Wells was number six ! Number five — is — Miss Dorothy 
Elmstrom ! 

Peak. I knew it ! She's a spy ! 

Clif. (starting). Oh, no, — no! 

Steele. White! Miss Dorothy Elmstrom, at seven- 
thirty instead of eight ! 



CURTAIN 



ACT III 



SCENE.— 7/^^ same as Act II. Saturday evening. The 
seven testing chairs have been taken from the room, 



the pulse register has been removed from the lo7tq 
table. ^ On one end of this table a pair of brown gloves 
are visible. 

(Inspector Steele is seated at the small table, with a 
large assortment of nezvspapers and other papers 
spread out before him. On one end of the table is 
a fruit dish, containing a number of apples, oranges 
and bananas. He is eating one of the oranges while 
he searches among the papers. Enter White. ) 

White Mr. Holton says, sir, that he can send you 
up a hot dinner within five minutes. 

Steele. Oh, no, White, thank you. I couldn't be 
bothered with it now. 

White. Very well, sir. {He turns to the door, but 
pauses.) Mr. Clifford has come, sir. 

Steele. Good. {He rises. Enter George Clifford, 
Exit White.) Well, Clifford? 

Clif. Inspector, I can't find one thing ! I've worked 
trom four this afternoon until this minute, everywhere 
nShin^ ,"P Driscoll Wells' record. I've found absolutely 

Steele {laughing slightly). Vm afraid that's because 
you ve been looking for suspicious facts about the wrong- 
person. But now look here. If you've been working 
ever since four o'clock until this minute, you certainly 
haven t had any dinner. {He starts toward the speaking- 
tube.) Now, it won't take me five minutes to have 
-tloiton send up 

Clif. Oh, no, Mr. Steele ! Th^nk you, but I couldn't. 
1 can t stop to eat,— I can't stop to do anything,— until 
i ve proved that you're wrong. 

52 



THE CONJURER . 53 

Steele. Now, Clifford, all this about not eating is 
nonsense. You can't expect to be able to do this thing 
well to-night unless you sit right down here and 

Clif. Inspector, I can't. It's very kind of you, 
but 

Steele. Well, then you'll at least have an apple or 
something. 

Clif. No, nothing, please. 

Steele. Come, come. {He takes the fruit dish from 
the table.) If you don't care for apples, here are oranges. 
Take one, and have a banana, too, while you're 

pLiF. Ogh, — no ! 

{He turns away, and places his hands over his eyes. 
Steele glances up quickly, and stares at him in 
silence. At length he sets the fruit dish on the table ^ 
and places his hand upon Clifford's shoulder. ) 

Steele {quietly). Clifford, what's the trouble to- 
night ? 

Clif. {turning). Pardon me, Mr. Steele. I can't 
help this. I know you're wrong in your suspicion. That 
whole machine of yours was wrong, some way. And I 
can't rest till I have made you see that. ^ 

Steele {surprised). Why, you mean — in regard to 
Miss Elmstrom ? 

Clif. I do. Mr. Steele, she never stole that paper. 
She's Marion's friend, and she didn't do it ! 

Steele. I can't agree with you until I know. Seat 
number five was the one which rang the bell. 

Clif. Well, she may have been nervous from some 
other cause. There must have been some other cause ! 

Steele {indicating the pile of papers on the small 
table). I have just spent the last two hours considering 
that one point. 

Clif. And what have you found? 

Steele. What I have found does not tend toward 
lessening my suspicion. 

Clif. Inspector, this is all wrong. Driscoll Wells 
stole that block of paper ! I can't prove it, but I know it ! 
Hadn't he been travelling in Europe for about a year? 



54 THE CONJURER 

Steele (taking the fruit dish from the small table). 
Very true. But I must also remind you that Miss Elm- 
strom has spent four years — in BerHn. 

(He crosses to the long table, and sets the fruit dish 
there. ) 

Clip. But the envelope, and the address ! It's D, re- 
member. D, for Driscoll ! 

Steele (turning). Yes, yes ! And D for Dorothy ! 

Clip. How could D, r 

Steele. We don't know that ! We only guess the r. 
Clifford, there is not one other person among Colonel 
Anderson's guests whose first name begins with D. 
Merely those two. You set a trap for one, and caught 
the other. There is only one explanation ! 

White (entering). Miss Elmstrom, sir. 

Steele (quickly). Just a minute. (He goes quickly 
to the small table and gathers up the pile of papers. He 
opens a drawer on one of the sides, drops a pencil inside, 
and partly closes it. To White.) You may send Miss 
Elmstrom in. (He crosses to the door at l.) Clifford, 
I'll be back immediately. 

(Exit Steele, to the inner office. Enter Dorothy. 
White leaves, closing the door.) 

Dor. Oh, Mr. Clifford ! I — I rather expected to find 
Mr. Steele. 

Clif. He'll be back right away. Won't you be seated ? 

Dor. Thank you. I — the Inspector sent word to me 
that I should come at seven-thirty. I — I suppose that 
means 

Clip. It simply means that there has been a great mis- 
take, Miss Elmstrom. You mustn't feel upset by any- 
thing Mr. Steele may say. He doesn't know who com- 
mitted the theft. Naturally, he doesn't like to overlook 
anything. 

Dor. Oh, I understand why he has sent for me. 
That instrument, — the pulse register 

Clip. That is only a machine. It could easily make 
a mistake. 



THE CONJURER 55 

Dor. But it wasn't a mistake. I was nervous, and — 
frightened when you read that card. I don't wonder that 
Mr. Steele suspects me. I imagine every one wiU sus- 
pect me. They'll all think — perhaps I — stole the secret ! 

Clif. Miss Elmstrom, you didn't do it! I'm sure of 
that ! No matter what Steele says, I'll never suspect 
you ! And I'll not let him suspect you, either. 

Dor. It's good of you to say that, Mr. Clifford! I 
don't believe I deserve it. You don't know anything 
about me, except that I'm Marion's friend. 

Clif. But it's really my duty now to do my best to 
make Inspector Steele see that he is wrong. You know, 
you were kind to me last evening, when Captain Gleason 
was so — unpleasant. 

Dor. Please don't remember that. You mustn't try 
to argue with Mr. Steele, just for that reason, if you 
really believe I — did it. 

Clif. Miss Elmstrom, I don't believe that ! I'll never 
believe it ! This whole thing is a mistake, some way. 
Believe me, please. I 

Enter Inspector Steele. Dorothy becomes nervous. 

Steele. Good-evening, Miss Elmstrom. 

Dor. {rising quickly). You requested me to come at 
seven-thirty, Mr. Steele. 

Steele. Quite right. At seven-thirty. 

Clif. Inspector, Miss Elmstrom is nervous, and she 
was nervous all the afternoon. Your methods here have 
been frightening her. That's the whole explanation of 
that register test. 

Steele {quietly). Miss Elmstrom, please sit down. 
And you shouldn't be worried about this. It is certainly 
farthest from my intention to frighten you or to trouble 
you in any way. I merely need a little information, and 
I feel that you are the one who can give it to me. 

Dor. Mr. Steele, I know that you have every right 
to suspect me. I couldn't blame you if you should arrest 
me now. I — ■■ — 

Steele. Miss Elmstrom, please. I have not the least 
intention of arresting you, I simply want information. 



5" THE CONJURER 

I know that when you realize just what the loss of Dr 
1 eak s process would mean to our country you will an- 
swer me. ^ 

Dor. Of course I will ! 

Steele. Thank you. {He takes a chair by the table. ) 
Perhaps you remember that the chair you occupied in the 
test this afternoon was number five f ^^ uic 

Dor. Yes. 

Steele When my assistant examined the record later 
he found that the bell had been rung by a very ^reat hi 
crease of speed in the pulse action of number five I f e t 
1 necessary to look into your case this afternoon and to 
summon you here at this time. 

Dor. I understand. 

in Is ' Iua"^- *''' ^°" ''f ' 'P^"* ^^^ '^«t ^o"'- years 
maeilm Studying music, I understand. 

Dor. That is true. And I admit 

M;=f pt"' . ^°" T*^?"'' "^^<^ *o ^''^■"'t anything. Now, 
Miss Elmstrom, I have never known that pulsl registl; 
to make a mistake. It shows clearly that you were in 

aftefnoof' '^"'"°" ^*'" ^"^°''^ ''^^ *^t '^^'^ A^ 
Dor. I was ! It was — terrible ' 

aj™' '^''^" ^" ^ ^'^ y°" *° ^° '^ to explain that 
Dor. Mr. Steele, I can't explain it ! I— I don't know 
why It came! When I first sat down there everything 
was a I right And through the whole test, until the very 
end ,t was all right. But when Mr. Ciififord held up the 
card and said there was a message on the other side -I 
was frightened ! I wasn't afraid of the words ; I couldn' 
even guess what they could be. But when he be<^an to 
read It I could feel myself shaking all over And then 
that bdl rang! Mr. Steele, it was a terrible sound if" 
burst ope°!j' "'^ ^^'•-d'-ums, and I thought my head would 

Clip. I'd like to know who frightened you ' 
.f ,A I ^^/^ the bell that made me jumpl' I nearly 

InZii-"''^ °/ "'' ''^^''- ^ ^^'t *at I must hold on o 
something. I put out my hand, and grasped the arm of 
the next chair with all my strength.^ I-I don't k^ow 



THE CONJURER 57 

what I did! I must have caught Mr. Wells' wrist, and 
twisted it against the arm of his chair, for I heard him 
cry out in pain. 

Steele. So that's the explanation! 

Dor. Then I heard your voice, and I seemed to wake 
up ! Mr. Steele, I've told you the truth, and every bit 
of it! I don't know what frightened me, but I never 
felt so — terribly — in my life ! 

Clif. Inspector, I know that's the truth I 

Steele. Until that moment you had not the slightest 
feeling of agitation? 

Dor. No ! 

Steele. Miss Elmstrom, I'm sorry to say that you 
have not told me all the truth. 

Clif. Inspector 

Steele. One moment, Clifford. Miss Elmstrom, you 
were nervous before you ever sat in the testing chair. I 
was watching every person in this office, and I am certain 
of that. The reason why you wished to sit beside Miss 
Marion Anderson was because you yourself were nervous. 

Dor. {starting, and staring at him). Mr. Steele! 

Steele. Tell me, please ! Isn't that the truth ? 

Dor. {hesitating). Yes! 

Steele. That's better. When I called your name, 
and asked you to take your place in the chair, you started. 
You never noticed that you had dropped your handker- 
chief rtntil Dr. Peak restored it to you, I must know the 
exact cause of this uneasiness. 

Dor. I — don't believe I can explain it. 

Steele. I'm really afraid that you'll have to ex- 
plain it. 

Dor. Oh, can't you understand, Mr, Steele? I 
can't — I don't know what it was. {She hesitates.) I 
was afraid — of Dr. Peak! 

Steele. Of Dr. Peak? 

DoR. It must have been. I knew he — he didn't like 
me, and I felt sure he would suspect me if he could. 
And then, too, I remembered what Mr. Clifford said last 
night about your power to discover a guilty person after 
talking with him five minutes, — and I was afraid of you ! 
Oh, Mr. Steele, I know everything is against me! I've 



5^ THE CONJURER 

been In Germany, and all ! But I'm not a traitoress ! I 
love America ! I didn't steal the paper ! Won't you be- 
lieve me? 

Steele (rising). Miss Elmstrom, I believe you. 

Dor. Thank you ! 

Steele. But I confess I don't know who did steal it 1 
And we must find out, to-night! (He turns to Clif- 
ford.) There's just one course which is still open to us. 
If we could make the thief believe that we had already 
smgled out some one else for suspicion,— if we could 
make him think that he is no longer in danger,— then he 
would be careless. 

Clif. Great! Driscoll Wells was heard to crv 
out -^ 

Steele. No, no ! He'd never stand it, Clifford. He 
would defy you to show that card, and we'd be helpless. 

Dor. Oh, Mr. Steele ! Let me ! 

Clif. Oh, would you do it ? 

Dor. rd be glad to help you ! 

Steele. You mean that you would be willing to let 
us accuse you before them all ? 

Dor. I — I would do anything to help you save the 
secret, Mr. Steele. 

Steele (gratefully). Miss Elmstrom, if you'll do 
that for us 

Enter White. 

White. Miss Marion Anderson, and her sister, in 
the waiting-room, sir. 

Steele. They're very early. See that they don't 
come in here. I'll be busy for the next fifteen minutes. 
(He goes to the door at l.) I wonder if you'd mind 
waiting with them. Miss Elmstrom ? 

(Exit Steele, to the inner office. Dorothy, instead 
of leaving at once, buries her face in her handker- 
chief. ) 

Clif. (hurrying to her). I'm sorry, Miss Elmstrom! 
You know it's all right now ! We both know you're inno- 
cent! 



THE CONJURER 59 

Dor. Oh, you — you mustn't mind me, Mr. Clifford. 
I can't help this. It's been such a trial. 

Clif. Of course it has. But I know you've told the 
truth, in every word you've said. It's wonderful of you 
to help us! And I think you're just about the finest 
American I've ever known ! 

Dor. (rising). Oh, you are so kind! 

Clif. (assisting her to the door). And if there's any- 
thing in the world I can ever do for you, — I hope you'll 
tell me i I 

(Exit Dorothy, to the waiting-room. Steele enters 
at once.) 

Steele. Clifford. 

Clif. Yes. What is it? 

Steele. I have a little confession which I suppose I 
should make. 

Clif. A confession? 

Steele. Yes. (He goes slowly to the small table.) 
1 haven't been quite on the level with you. 

(He goes to the drawer which he has left partly open, 
holds up a small dark instrument from within, and 
replaces it.) 

Clif. A dictaphone! You've been listening. 

Steele. Exactly. It's been there since Miss Elm- 
strom first came in. I thought she might say something 
in my absence that she wouldn't care to say in my pres- 
ence. (He hesitates an instant.) Well, as a result of 
this, I have one rather serious question which I wish to 
ask you. 

Clif. Oh! You mean when you spoke about that 
card — 

Steele (shaking his head). Not that. In fact, this 
is in regard to a very different matter. (He pauses, and 
goes on slowly.) It's merely this. Do you think you're 
quite — fair — to Miss Anderson ? (Clifford gives a start 
of surprise, and stares at the Inspector.) I hope you'll 
not feel offended by this. 

Clif. Of course I'll not, Mr. Steele. I — I realize that 



60 THE CONJURER 

you're right. I'm not fair at all. But I Oh, I 

don't know what has made me feel as I have about 
Marion, yesterday and to-day. I've loved her for two 
years, and I still love her, but I — I'd be blind if I couldn't 
see the truth, after what happened this afternoon. I 
hate to admit it, even to myself, but I can't help it. 
She's — she seems — selfish. 

Steele (slowly). Yes, I suppose you're right. But 
you should try to overlook it. 

Clif. I know it, Mr. Steele. I do know it. Oh, I — 
I can't see what makes me feel as I have to-day, about — 
Miss Elmstroin! (He hesitates.) 1 know you must un- 
derstand! She's so much bigger! 

Steele. I know. (He presses the bell. Enter 
White.) White, kindly ask Miss Elmstrom to step in 
here again for a moment. [Exit White. 

Clif. What are you going to do ? 

Steele. I forgot one very important point. (Enter 
Dorothy.) Miss Elmstrom, I'm very sorry to have to 
ask you to come in again. But there is one more question 
which I feel I must ask. 

Dor. Certainly. 

Steele. It is in regard to your father. (She makes 
a little involuntary gesture.) I know it's brutal of me 
to bring all that back to your mind. But I'm afraid I 
must. I knew Mr. Henry Elmstrom quite well, just be- 
fore he took that fatal trip on the professor's yacht. I 
understand that he was a — a German, and that he was 
born in Germany. 

Dor. That is very true. But he came to America at 
the age of twenty. He became an American citizen, and 
married an American lady, and spent the rest of his life 
in chemical work here. 

Steele. And he never returned to Germany? 

Dor. No, never. Four years ago he sent me to Ber- 
lin, to study music. I — I never saw him again. But he 
was a true American. There was never a thought in his 
mind except loyalty to our country. Oh, Mr. Steele, ar- 
rest me if you think I'm guilty ! But please — please don't 
say anything against my father ! 

Steele. My dear young lady, I never had the slight- 



THE CONJURER 6l 

est thought of doing so. All I need to know, and all I 
ask you to tell me, is this. Was he ever in chemical work 
with Dr. Peak? 

( Dorothy gives a start. ) 

Dor. No ! No ! They were never working together, 
at any time! 

Steele. Then-.— er — just what were his relations with 
Dr. Peak? 

Dor. Oh ! . I — I knew you would learn of it, some 
wa}^ Mr. Steele! (She hesitates.) The doctor hated 
him, — hated him,— with as great a hatred' as one man 
could ever have toward another! (She pauses.) That 
is why I was so afraid of Dr. Peak to-day. I knew he 
would suspect me, if he could. 

Steele. I am very much obliged to you. I'll not 
keep you any longer. 

Dor. You'll not suspect my father! Please promise 
me that ! 

Steele. I promise you. 

(Dorothy turns, and walks slowly to the door^ Sud- 
denly she stops, and gives a frightened, shuddering 
glance at some object on the long table. Then, in- 
voluntarily covering her eyes, she shivers, and hurries 
out. Inspector Steele stands in silence. He is 
staring tozvard thie long table. Gradually a strange, 
silently menacing expression comes over his face.) 

Clip. Inspector, what on earth was the matter with 
her then? 

Steele (after a pause). So that's it! 

Clif. What? What is it? 

Steele (turning suddenly to the small table). Oh, 
I've been a fool, Clifford! A fool! I've let some one 
make an idiot of me ! 

Clip. Mr. Steele, what have you found? Who 
was it? 

Steele (glancing at his watch). Clifford, we have 
just eight minutes to get ready for them! We can't 
waste one second now! 



62 



THE CONJURER 



Clip. But, Inspector 

Steele. Not now ; we haven't time. Sit down here, 
quickly, please. Now. This afternoon you told me how 
you did that last card-reading mystery of yours, — the one 
where you make the name of a chosen card pop right out 
in black letters on a blank sheet of paper. 

Clif. Yes ! 

Steele. You said you did that trick with a stuff you 
called '' reappearing ink." An ink that disappears when 
you apply heat, but pops right back again when you stop 
heating. I suppose you could do that trick with some of 
my own brand of " reappearing ink." 

Clif. Of course 

Steele {rising). Then we'll do that, at once. 

{He rings the hell) 

Clif. But I'm certain that my ink is a little more 
rapid in action than yours. Here,— here's the way to 
prepare it. You could have it made up m two minutes ; 
it's an antimony compound. 

{He hands Steele a slip of paper. Enter White.) 

Steele. White, tell Foster to send up a bottle of my 
"reappearing ink " at once. Wait. Have him mix this 
antimony compound, if he has the materials. {Hands 
him the paper.) If not, he is to send up my regular ink, 
right away. 

White. Yes, sir. [Exit. 

Steele. Now, what else ? 

Clif. A frame, if you have it. A metal or wooden 
frame for the paper, about a foot square. 

Steele. Good! I have the very thing here, some- 
where. {He goes to a drawer in the long table.) Here. 
How is this? 

{He exhibits a thin wooden frame, which is held up- 
right by a three-legged support.) 

Clif. That couldn't be better. 

(Steele sets it on the small table.) 



THE CONJURER 63 

Steele. Now, here's my plan. I intend to make it 
perfectly clear that I suspect Miss Elmstrom. I'm go- 
ing to seem to be trying to complete evidence against her. 
This will make the real thief feel all the more secure. To 
do this, I intend to place in this frame the exact letters 
and numbers which we found on the corner of that en- 
velope. 

Clif. But the address, 28! 

Steele. No one will notice that, except Miss 
Elmstrom herself. She has promised to say nothing. 
Then 

Enter White, with a small bottle. 

White. Your '' reappearing ink," sir. 

Steele {taking the bottle). This is my regular ink. 
The other 

White. Mr. Foster is sorry, sir, but he used up the 
last of the alimony last week. 

Steele (laughing). All right. That's all. (Exit 
White.) Now we'll see. 

(He takes a large sheet of paper and a small brush 
from a drawer. Opening the bottle of ink, he prints 
a word in heavy black letters on the paper.) 

Clip. That is visible when cold, of course. 

Steele. Yes. There is the word ''America " in heavy 
black letters. Now we'll attach this paper to the frame 
here. 

(He does so. He then takes the electric lamp which 
is on the small table. This is a student's lamp of 
medium size, with a metal reflector and a long, 
flexible neck. He lights this, and sets it directly be- 
hind the frame on the small table.) 

Clif. It will take a minute for the lamp's rays to 
warm it. 

Steele (standing aside quickly). There! It's gone. 
(The blank sheet of paper is visible on the frame.) Now 
this paper is apparently blank. However, let us turn 
off the light. (He snaps it off. In a flash the word 



64 THE CONJURER 

"America" appears on the paper.) Ah! That's per- 
fect! Now to real business. 

Clif. Just what do you plan to do? 

Steele. First of all, to make the thief believe he's 
safe. Next, to announce that you will cause the rest of 
the writing on that envelope to appear on a sheet of this 
paper. Then, when all present are staring at the paper 
on the frame, waiting for the name of Dorothy Ehii- 
strom to appear after the letter D, — then will come the 
real name ! 

Clif. By Jove ! ( Steele suddenly removes the frame 
from the table, leaving the electric light. He turns this 
on, and screws the hidb around an instant. He then goes 
to his chair at the other end of the table.) What's this? 

Steele. There's a chance that this person might be- 
come desperate, and try to snatch away the paper before 
I could put out the lamp behind it. Clifford, do you call 
yourself fairly quick? 

Clif. Yes. Why ? 

Steele. You are standing within three feet of that 
light there. I am farther away, and sitting down. 
Could you be quick enough to pick up that lamp before 
I could put it out? 

Clif. Of course I could ! 

Steele {leaning forward, waiting). Then — try it! 

(Clifford makes a sudden dash for the electric lamp. 
But, at his first^ step, Steele bangs sharply with his 
fist upon his own end of the table. Instantly, the 
light on the table goes out. ' Clifford, in the act of 
clutching at it, starts back.) 

Clif. Great Caesar's ghost ! (Inspector Steele gives 
him a long, silent stare. Clifford impidsively strides to- 
ward Steele.) By Jove, Inspector, I'm not in it with 
you ! 

Steele {laughing). My dear fellow, there's no con- 
juring to that. Look. I merely loosened this bulb, so 
that any violent jar upon the table would break the 
circuit. Watch. {He again adjusts the btdb, and raps 
upon the table. Again the light goes out.) Now, you 



THE CONJURER 65 

see, all I need do later is to rap upon this table, to bring 
out that name on the paper. We'll now proceed. Here 
is a second slfeet of paper, which I prepared this after- 
noon. {He holds it up.) You see that I have written 
there, in ordinary black ink, just what we found on that 
envelope. Of course I've magnified it greatly. 

Clif. That's good ! 

Steele. There is the capital D, you see, and the be- 
ginning of another letter. Then, below that, are the 
figures, 2, 8. Right here in the rest of the space I am 
now going to finish out, in " reappearing ink," the name 
and address of the real thief ! 

Clif, But are you sure you know 

Enter Wpiite. 

White. Colonel Anderson wants to see you at once, 
sir. 

Steele. Send him in. (£jir?V White.) Clifford, talk 
to him for a minute. I don't want him looking at this 
now. 

(Steele quickly carries the small table to the hack of 
the room, placing it in plain view, near the wall. 
He spreads the second sheet of paper on the table, 
and leans over it. Enter Colonel Anderson. 
Clifford hurries to meet him,. Steele keeps on 
using his brush on the paper, screening the writing 
from viezv by bending closely over it.) 

And. Well, George, what luck? 

Clif. Very good luck. Colonel. We have the thief 
just where we want him. It's not Miss Elmstrom ; she's 
on the level. 

And. Inspector, what on earth are you doing there? 

Steele (zvithout turning) . Merely preparing, Colonel. 
(He again sets the frame upon the front of the table, and 
lights the lamp close behind it. He then attaches the pre- 
pared paper close to the frame, still screening it care- 
fidly. He steps aside. The letter D and the figures 2 8 
are now visible on the paper; the rest is apparently blank.) 



66 THE CONJURER 

There. I can't explain about all this now, Colonel. 
You had sonjething to tell me ? 

And. Yes. The truth of it is, I am so sorry for Dr. 
Peak that I almost wish you could do as he asks. This 
has been a terrible shock to him, and he feels that he is to 
blame for it all. 

Steele. Has something happened since this after- 
noon ? 

And. Yes. The poor man has broken down under 
the strain. It was about six o'clock this evening, when I 
heard him in his room. He was sobbing, Mr. Steele, on 
the foot of his bed. I heard him saying over and over 
again, "America ! My country ! Oh, my God ! My 
God ! " I went to him, and tried to cheer him up, but he 
refused to eat any dinner, and he's hardly able to come 
here to-night. 

Clip. Poor man ! Mr. Steele, we must find that ! 

And. He doesn't believe you can ever find it. He 
only seems to wish now that we could drop the whole 
matter, and let the Government find out the loss. It has 
broken his heart ! 

Steele. Let the matter drop? Of course we'll not. 
Colonel, we've got the thief. His name is over there on 
that sheet of paper. 

And. (starting). What! 

(He runs forward, and peers at the stand.) 

Steele. Oh, you can't see it now; there's only the 
first of it there. But you will see it, very soon. (He 
rings the hell. Enter White.) It is five minutes after 
eight. Kindjy ask them all to step inside. (Exit White. ) 
Now, Clifford, show us that you're an actor! .And re- 
member that I can put out that lamp by simply rapping 
on the table! (Enter Marion Anderson and Edith, 
followed by Dorothy Elmstrom, Dr. Peak, Driscoll 
Wells, and Hamilton Warwick. When the ladies are 
seated at l. of the room, Steele places a chair at r, for 
Dr. Peak. The doctor is nervous. Wells gives a little 
exclamation when he catches sight of the letter and nnni- 
bers on the paper on the frame. Steele, counting.) 



THE CONJURER 67 

Nine of us present. Again two are late. {He takes a 
telephone director;^ from the long table, and searches a 
moment, while the others take their positions at L. 
White brings in three more chairs, and leaves.) I — er — 
does any one know where I should look for Captain Glea- 
son's telephone number ? I'm afraid he has forgotten 

Edith. It's under his own name, Mr. Steele. 

Steele. But there isn't one Frank Gleason in the city. 

Edith. Oh, of course you didn't know! His name 
is Drummond Gleason, — Frank Drummond Gleason. We 
all call him Frank, but he never uses that name in writing. 

Steele. Oh, thank you. Yes, here it is. 

White (entering). Miss Gleason, and Captain Glea- 
son, sir. [Exit. 

Enter Ellen Gleason and Captain Gleason. 

Steele. Good-evening. Just in time, Captain. Oh, 
by the way, I believe you left your gloves on the table 
here this afternoon. 

(He takes a pair of brown gloves from the long table.) 

Glea. Oh, thank you. (He stares at the paper on 
the stand. ) May I inquire what that is ? 

Steele (laughing). Nothing alarming. Captain. A 
little more science! (He turns to the others.) Many of 
you have seen Mr. Clifford cause the name of a chosen 
card to pop out on a blank sheet of paper. There (point- 
ing to the table) we have an enlarged reproduction of the 
writing on the envelope which the thief dropped last even- 
ing ! Clifford and I have made a little agreement. If I 
can give logical proof against the person who stole Dr. 
Peak's process, then he will, by his science, fill out the 
blank space on that enlarged envelope ! 

(A start from all.) 

War. That's impossible ! 

Steele. I have promised to make known, at this time, 
the result of this afternoon's pulse register test. (Wells 
catches his breath.) This was the result. Every record 
was regular except one. The bell which ended the test 



68 THE CONJURER 

was rung by the occupant of seat number five ! (A gen- 
eral start.) And I am forced to announce also that this 
particular person was — Miss Dorothy Elmstrom! 

Marion (starting). Dorothy! 

Steele (slowly). Miss Dorothy Elmstrom spent four 
years in Berlin. She learned music. She learned also to 
forget America! She came back; she came as a guest 
to Colonel Anderson's home; she learned of Dr. Peak's 
coming visit ; she 

Marion. Dorothy, you didn't ! 

Steele. There is no other possibility, Miss Anderson. 
We have caught the person who came to your home as a 
guest, with her whole heart set upon serving her Father- 
land ! We've found the evidence 

And. Inspector ! 

Steele. And now, if I can show Clifford how she did 
it, — he will show us the guilty name ! (He takes a step 
forward.) Friends, look how you are grouped! It is 
almost identically the same as during the experiment in 
Colonel Anderson's home last evening! (Edith gives a 
start. ) Clifford and Dr. Peak are apart from the others. 
Colonel Anderson is near the small table. The others are 
in one end of the room. There is a small table, with an 
electric lamp. Now, if there is any one present who is 
not convinced of Miss Elmstrom's guilt, I'll give you a 
demonstration! (No one speaks.) Colonel Anderson, 
are you? 

And. I can't believe it! But I — I*m afraid it must 
be true ! 

Steele. And Dr. Peak ! Are you satisfied ? 

Peak. I am! She is a spy! She tricked her own 
friend, Marion Anderson ! And she must suffer for it ! 

Steele. She shall ! Clifford, — you ! 

Cltf. I know she did it, but I don't know how she 
did it ! 

Steele. And you want me to show you 

Clif. I want you to show me — how she ever reached 
that switch ! 

Steele. I'll do it! And when I do,— when I show 
you how she put out that lamp 

Clip. Then I'll fill that blank space on the paper ! 



THE CONJURER 69 

(Excited exclamations from all.) 

Steele. I'll ask every one to watch ! (He joins the 
group at l.) Now we are exactly as we were last even- 
ing. I shall go through that scene, step by step. Colonel, 
can you reach that card-case on the large table ? It will 
serve as the black box to-night. And that large book 
beside it, too. It's about as large as your chemistry was. 
(He pauses.) Clifford, we are ready now; take your 
place. Every one keep an eye on the switch on the wall 
behind us. It's just where Colonel Anderson's switch 
was ! And watch that paper for the guilty name ! 

(Clifford steps into the middle of the room.) 

Clif. This is two minutes before the theft. Dr. Peak 
is about to write his secret. (He ties a handkerchief over 
his own eyes, and seats himself, hack toward the others.) 
I have been blindfolded. I am waiting. Dr. Peak goes 
to the table to write his process. 

Steele. Kindly do so now. Dr. Peak. 

Peak. Of course ! 

(He goes to the small table at the hack of the room.) 

Clif. But I hear him say, " I am not going to write 
near this table! " 

(Steele nods to Dr. Peak.) 

Peak. I am not going to write near this table ! 

Clif. He walks away about five feet. (Dr. Peak 
does it.) He writes on the block of paper, and tears off 
the sheet. He walks to the table, and drops it into the 
box. Colonel Anderson locks it. (Dr. Peak walks to 
the table, goes through the motion of dropping a paper, 
and returns. ) Then Marion says, " It's done ! " 

Marion (from her chair) . It's done! 

Clif. Dr. Peak says, " I don't intend that he shall use 
this book. Colonel, have you the key? " 

Peak. But I — I haven't the book here now. 

Steele. Perhaps you had better get it. 

(Dr. Peak goes to the table, gets the hook, and returns,) 



70 THE CONJURER 

Peak. Now. I don't intend that he sHall use this 
book. Colonel, have you the key? 

Clif. Then 

And. I have ! 

Clif. Dr. Peak said, "We are ready. The amyl 
process is in the box ! " 

Peak. We are ready. The amyl process is in the 
box! 

Clif. Then some one — I don't know who — said, 
" Science, we await you ! " 

{A short pause.) 

Glea. Science, we await you ! 

Clif. Then — I heard some one move ! (All start, and 
stare around at each other. No one has moved. Breath- 
less, they watch Clifford, who rises.) I got up! I 
turned around! I pulled the handkerchief down from 
my eyes! {He does it.) And then — it happened! 

{A gasp from Wells.) 

Wells. Look! Look at Mr. Clifford! 

(Clifford is staggering, as he did the night before. 
His breath is coming in great gasps. ) 

Marion (in terror). George, what is the matter? 

Steele. That's it, Miss Anderson! That's exactly 
what you said last night! No, no, — he's only acting, 
now ! Colonel Anderson 

And. I called out, " George ! " 

Steele. Now, watch the table, and the paper I (Clif- 
ford gives a startled gasp, and stares toward the other 
end of the room, over their heads. They turn. There is 
nothing there.) Then, Dr. Peak, you cried, "Mr. Clif- 
ford, you are ill ? Help him ! He's hurt ! " 

Peak {mechanically repeating the words). Mr. Clif- 
ford, are you ill ? Help him ! He's hurt ! 

Steele. You threw the book onto the table, and 

started toward him. And then Do it, Doctor! 

Doit! 



THE CONJURER 71 

{There is a stifled cry from some one in the hack of 
the room. Dr. Peak starts, and awakes to action.) 

Peak {wildly). She never went near the switch! 
She cut the wire, — the lamp cord ! 

{He starts forward toward Clifford.) 

Steele. No! No! You didn't take the book with 
you ! You threw it onto the table ! Wait ! You threw 
the book ! You threw the book ! 

Peak {repeating slowly, as though in a dream). I 
threw the book ! I threw the book ! And then 

{He turns, and stares at the table. He starts to speak, 
hut fails. Then, taking aim, he throws the hook. 
He watches, fascinated, as it travels through the air. 
It lands upon the table with a bang. And with the 
shock the table light goes out. Peak staggers 
hack, with a choking cry of fear. Colonel Ander- 
son springs to the table. And, as he whirls, the 
hlack, clear letters pop out on the paper beside the 
D and the 28.) 

And. Great God! It's Dr. Gordon Peak! 

{ The Doctor drops to a chair, and buries his head. )' 

Steele. That's it! That's what came after the D 
and the r on the envelope ! And there's the twenty-eight, 
which wasn't twenty-eight at all, but two eighty-five Cen- 
tral Street ! Dr. Peak, it was the chance of a lifetime 
when Clifford asked you to let him try his trick upon your 
secret ! You took your own secret, because you knew 
that once it was reported " stolen " you would be free to 
deal with German agents ! 

Peak {springing up). No! No! No! 

Steele. It's useless to deny it, sir! Who was the 
one who had discovered Clifford's conjuring secret? 
You were ! Who insisted upon writing that process, 
against all our objections? You did ! Who adjusted the 
four bulbs in the table lamp, just as this one was adjusted, 
so that the light would go out at the first jar upon the 
table? You did! You insisted upon blindfolding Clif- 



72 THE CONJURER 

ford yourself, with your own handkerchief ! You wanted 
me to drop the case, and make the matter pubhc ! 

Clif. But he couldn't have known I would be so 
frightened in the trick last night ! 

Steele. Ah, that's exactly what he did know ! When 
did your fear first come ? It came when you pulled down 
the handkerchief from before your eyes, — so that it came 
before your mouth. Then you began to breathe 

And. Amy I nitrite! 

Steele. Exactly, Colonel Anderson! What is more 
natural ? He tricked us with the substance which he un- 
derstood the best, — the basis of his own discovery! He 
blindfolded Clifford with his own handkerchief, you re- 
member. 

Clif. And when I pulled it down before my mouth 

Steele. The effects of amyl nitrite. A terrific 
pounding of the heart. A dreadful dizziness. A feeling 
as though the head would burst. And a terrible sensation 
of fear which you could not explain ! He knew well that 
we would attribute it all to the heart trouble in your fam- 
ily. Then, while you stood there helpless, he started 
forward as if to help you, — and threw the book ! 

And. But, Inspector ! The pulse register ! 

Steele. That's where he played the cleverest trick of 
all. Two things he must do; namely, make the theft 
public, and throw suspicion on some one of your guests. 
He outwitted that pulse register for the first time in our 
history! (He turns to the others.) When Miss Elm- 
strom dropped her handkerchief just before the test, — 
who restored it? 

Dor. Oh ! I understand ! Then came the fear that / 
couldn't explain ! And the pounding of my heart 

Steele. The pounding of your heart and pulse — rang 
the bell in the register! He knew it would! Clifford 
covered his eyes in agony this evening at the very thought 
of eating a banana. Bananas, — banana oil, — amyl ! And 
Miss Elmstrom shuddered in dread at the mere sight of 
those bananas on the other table there ! 

And. It's more than I can believe ! 

(Dr. Peak rises slowly.) 



THE CONJURER 73 

Peak. Inspector Steele, — I did it ! I — I couldn't help 
it ! On my honor, — I couldn't help it ! Three years ago 
I gave up my practice, — I gave up all I had, — to work for 
America ! I spent my last penny, — I went into debt, — I 
kept on in debt, — until I gave amyl trench gas to my coun- 
try ! And then they wouldn't pay ! They wouldn't trust 
me when I told them that the gas would never fail ! They 
wouldn't even — help me — in the debt! {He chokes.) 
I'd given all I had to America, Mr. Steele ! I couldn't 
stand the debt ! I couldn't bear disgrace ! I couldn't 
face ruin, — and a prison sentence ! {He hesitates.) So 
I — I told Kurtz I'd sell it! {He takes a long breath.) 
I've tried to sell my country's secret ! I've tried to, — but 
I couldn't do it ! I saw my chance last night. I took it ! 
I tried my best to go through with it to-day ! But — I 
couldn't do it ! I couldn't send that gas to Germany, to 
murder our own soldiers ! This afternoon I thought I 
could ! But when Kurtz sent word to me to-night, — I 
told him I would never sell ! Believe me, Mr. Steele, — 
believe me! I burned that paper in my room to-night, 
and prayed you'd never know how near I'd been — to 
infamy ! 

And. Doctor ! 

Peak. Won't you believe me, Mr. Steele? In the 
name of justice, won't you believe me? I couldn't be the 
coward I had tried to be ! I'll face that debt now, and 
ruin, too ! I stole it ; I fooled every one of you ; I tried 
to make an innocent girl suffer for it! {He straightens 
his bent shoulders.) But I never played the traitor to 
my country, and I never will ! 

{He sinks back into his chair. Colonel Anderson 
goes to his side. Inspector Steele turns to face the 
others. They are silent.) 

Steele {slowly). We may consider this investiga- 
tion as dropped, at this point. {He turns to Anderson.) 
Colonel Anderson, if the Government officials at Wash- 
ington do not attend to Dr. Peak's laboratory debt within 
one week, kindly let me know of the matter at once ! 

{He bows to the others, in sign of dismissal.) 



74 ^ THE CONJURER 

And. (rising, with Dr. Peak). Inspector, — we thank 
you! 

(Dr. Peak is not able to speak to Steele; he gives him 
his hand in silence, on his way to the door. The 
other's turn to follow.) 

Glea. (crossing to Steele). Inspector, your method 
of solving this affair was absolutely the best piece of work 
I ever 

Steele (quickly). Pardon me, Captain ! Let me re- 
mind you that Mr. George Clifford has done this ! 

Glea. Oh ! (He hesitates, and then goes to Clif- 
ford.) George, I've been a cad! But I'm sorry, and I 
hope you'll forget it, after I sail. I'll only hope I can do 
as much in France as you've done here to-day ! 

Clif. (shaking hands). Forget it, Frank. And good 
luck! 

(Gleason goes out with Steele. The others follow, 
except Clifford. Dorothy Elmstrom, whoi is the 
last one going out, turns.) 

Dor. Mr. Clifford, I heard what Captain Gleason said 
just now. And they all understand how splendid you've 
been ! I'm so glad, — for you ! 

Clif. For me? Miss Elmstrom, I (He takes 

her hand suddenly.) Dorothy, I wish I could make you 
understand how much I 

Dor. Mr. Chfford! 

(Very slowly she zvithdraws her hand.) 

Clif. Oh, I'm sorry! I certainly didn't mean to — I 
only wanted you to know 

Dor. Oh, you needn't be — sorry! But — don't you 
see? (She hesitates.) I came as Marion's friend. I 
can't — I'll not We can always be friends, can't we? 

Clif. You know we can ! 

Enter Colonel Anderson and Marion, followed by 
Steele. 



THE CONJURER 75 

And. Miss Elmstrom, Dr. Peak has something he 
would like to say to you. 

Dor. Certainly, Colonel Anderson. 

(Dorothy and the Colonel go out, while Steele turns 
quickly to the table.) 

Marion {hurrying to Clifford). Oh, George, Tm 
proud of you now! Proud of you! You've been so 
wonderful! {She puts her arm on his shoulder.) You 
did it all yourself, every bit of it, and you're a hero — my 
hero — at last! 

{And Inspector Steele laughs silently as he leaves the 
room.) 



CURTAIN 



NOTE 



The effect of producing the writing on a blank sheet 
of paper at the end of the third act is brought about in a 
manner somewhat different from that described by the 
character Steele. " Sympathetic " and " reappearing " 
inks act in just the reverse way in actual use. They are 
visible when heated, and quite invisible when cold. For 
the sake of a better climax at the end of the play, this 
brand of " reappearing ink " has been reversed in its 
action, so that it will fit in satisfactorily with Steele's plan 
of exposure. 

This effect may be obtained in two ways. The first, 
and by far the more simple, is brought about by the rapid 
chemical action of hydrogen sulphide gas upon lead 
acetate. The lead acetate solution should be mixed with 
a little glycerine, to keep it moist during the performance. 
Use a small paint brush, and paint with this mixture, on 



76 THE CONJURER 

a large sheet of white paper, the words which are to 
appear. After the paper has been allowed to stand for 
perhaps two minutes, it will be apparently quite blank. 
The hydrogen sulphide should be conveyed by means of 
a concealed rubber tube, extending from the table upon 
which the stand is to be placed, and connected with a 
small generator at some point behind the stage. The table 
should have a cloth covering folded in such a way as to 
hide the rubber tube when it is extended across the table. 
The tube must run parallel to the stand which holds the 
prepared paper, and within half an inch of the bottom of 
the sheet. It must have a series of small perforations 
extending to exactly the width of the paper, so that the 
gas will be liberated where it is needed, and nowhere else. 
It should also be provided with a metal clip for instantly 
stopping the flow of gas after the writing has been made 
to appear. Hydrogen sulphide must not be allowed to 
escape afterwards in large quantities, for its odor is cer- 
tain to be offensive to the audience if this occurs. The 
generator, which may be nothing more than a bottle with 
a rubber stopper and delivery tube, should not be set in 
action until the moment that the gas is required. The 
gas is formed in the generator by the action of hydro- 
chloric or sulphuric acid upon iron sulphide. Iron sul- 
phide and lead acetate may be obtained at any store where 
chemical supplies are sold, and may be found in any 
school laboratory. Remember that the stand must be 
placed on the table so that the paper is close to the holes 
in the tube, and that the gas must be cut off instantly 
afterwards. 

If this method should seem impracticable because of a 
lack of stage facilities or for any other reason, a purely 
mechanical device for exchanging two sheets of paper 
may be obtained from W. D. Leroy, a dealer in magical 
supplies, at 103 Court Street, Boston, Mass., or from any 
other magical establishment. The apparatus consists of 
a wooden frame with apparently one thickness of glass, 
and provided with a device for instantaneously removing 
one sheet of paper and revealing another in its place. 
This method requires that a slot be cut in the table, and 
that there be an assistant behind the stage to pull a string 



THE CONJURER 77 

at the proper instant. It has some advantages over the 
other, although it will be found less dependable. 

The gas method may possibly require four or five sec- 
onds for the action to take place. You will note, how- 
ever, that this short interval has been provided for in the 
play. Colonel Anderson, at the final exposure, runs to 
the stand and stares at it while the writing is appearing, 
thus screening it for the necessary space of time. If it is 
found absolutely necessary to do so, Steele's first demon- 
stration with the word "America " may be omitted. 



THE BIG DRUM 

A Comedy in Four Acts 

By Arthur Pinero 
Twelve males, five females. Costumes, modern ; scenery, three in« 
teriors. Plays a full evening. Acting rights strictly reserved for the 
present. Sir Arthur Pinero's latest play, not yet produced in this country. 
The text is here offered for reading only, but rights to produce by ama- 
teurs may be given at any time after the American production. A very 
powerful play upon a subject of universal interest. 
Frice^ jo cents 

CHARACTERS 

Philip Mackworth. 

Sir Randle Filson, Knt. 

Bertram Filson, his son. 

Sir Timothy Barradell, Bart. 

Robert Roope. 

COLLINGHAM GrEEN. 

Leonard Westrip, Sir Randle s secretary, 

Alfred Dunning, of Sillitoe and Dunning s Private Detective 

Agency. 
NoYES, Mr. Roope' s servant. 
Underwood, servant at Sir Randle* s, 
John, Mr. Mackworth' s servant. 
A Waiter. 

OttOLINE DE CHAUMlfi, COMTESSE DE ChAUMI£, H^C FILSON. 

Ladt Filson. 

Hon. Mrs. Godfrey Anslow. 

Mrs. Walter Quebec. 

Miss Tracer, Lady Filson s secretary, 

SYNOPSIS 

Act I.— Robert Roope's flat in South Audley Street. June. 
Act II. — Morning-room at Sir Randle Filson's, Ennismore 

Gardens. The next day. 
Act III. — Mackworth's Chambers, Gray's Inn. November, 
Act IV. — The same place. The following morning. 



THE NEW SCHOOL-MA'AM 

A Sketch in One Act 
By G. H. Mc Arthur 
Two males, one female. Costumes, modern and " rube " ; scenery, an 
interior, not important. Plays twenty minutes. Gladys de Haven, an 
actress stranded in a small town, applies for the position of " school- 
ma'am " to get money enough to reach New York. She easily prevails 
over the susceptibihties of Silas Wetherbee and Hank Pettingill, the two 
members of the « Committee," borrows ten dollars of each of them and 
skips, leaving them considerably educated by her process. Lively and 
ibnny. Price^ ij cents 



CAPTAIN CRANBERRY 

A Cape Cod Drama in Three Acts 

By Gladys Ruth Bridgham 
Eight male, three female characters. Costumes, modern rustic ana 
seafaring ; scenery, two easy interiors. Plays two hours. Cranford 
Berry, affectionately known as « Captain Cranberry," has gained from the 
griefs and hardships of a long life a beautiful philosophy and is the main- 
stay of his neighbors. Learning that Ariel, who has long passed as the 
daughter of Abner Freeman, a fellow mariner, is his own child, he will- 
ingly foregoes the rights of a father to secure her greater happiness ; but 
events make this great sacrifice unnecessary and all ends happily. Lee 
Gordon's pursuit of material for his great detective story, " The Mystery 
of the Seven Pipes," provides a wealth of comedy, and lots of excitement. 
Free of royalty. Strongly recommended. 

Fricet 2^ cents 

CHARACTERS 

Cranford Berry (Cap'n Cranberry), keeper of the Bay Point 

Light. 
Abner Freeman, a retired whaler. 
Obadiah Daniels, postmaster. 
Lemuel Sawyer, constable. 
Samuel Sawyer, his son. 
Lee Gordon, an author. 
Peter Pretzel Pomeroy, his accomplice* 
Nat Williams. 

Ariel Freeman, Abner s daughter. 
Hepsy Sawyer, Lemuel s wife. 
Cynthia Tinker. 

SYNOPSIS 

Act L — Living-room in Cynthia's home — Bay Point, Cape Cod. 
Act II. — The same ; the next morning. 

Act III. — Room in Abner Freeman's old fish house on the 
•here ; late afternoon of the same day. 



DOUBLE DUMMY 

A Comedietta in One Act 
By Ema S, Hunting 
One male, one female character. Costumes, modern ; scene, an Inte- 
rior. Plays twenty minutes. Merton Graves, of the Post, in an effort to 
interview the celebrated Mme. Mordini encounters Kathrine Coleman, of 
the Press, whom he takes for Mordini, while she takes him for Wainworth, 
the painter, whom she is after on a similar errandc An amusing bit of 
mistaken identity, very actable. 

Price, 75" cents 



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iiiiiiiiSiim 

016 215 216 6 

Plays lor Colleges and High Jichoois 



:^kifcafc 



Malts Ftmalt 



The Air Spy 

Bachelor Hall 

The College Chap 

The Coloael's Maid 

Daddy 

The Deacon's Secood Wife 

The District Attorney 

The Dutch Detective 

An Easy Mark 

The Elopement of Ellen 

Engaged by Wednesday 

The Farmerette 

For One Night Only 

Hamilton 

HIgbee of Harvard 

Hitty's Service Flag 

The Hoodoo 

The Hurdy Qurdy Qlrl 

Katy Did 

Let's Get Married 

London Assurance 

Lost a Chaperon 

The Mao from Brandon 

The Man Who Went 

The Man Without a Country 

Master Pierre Patella 

Me and Otis 

The Minute Man 

Mose 

Mr. Bob 

Mrs. Briggs of the Poultry Yard 

Nathan Hale 

Nephew or Uncle 

Professor Pepp 

A Regiment of Two 

The Revenge of Sharl-Hot<Su 

The Rivals 

The Romancers 

The Rose and the Ring 

Sally Lunn 

The School for Scandal 

She Stoops to Conquer 

Step Lively 

The Submarine Shell 

The Thirteenth Star 

The Time of His Life 

Tommy's Wife 

The Twig of Thorn 



6 
9 
4 
3 

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6 

3 

7 

46 

4 

5 

II 
3 
4 

«S 

8 

8 
6 
3 
9 

3 
16 

3 

12 

»5 

4 

7 



9 
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3 
9 
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13 
10 

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7 
4 
3 
8 

4 
4 

5 
1 

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4 
4 
4 
10 

4 
9 
3 

5 
7 



For 



special " royalties, see catalogue 
detailed information 



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y\xe descriptions for 





'1 



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BAKER, 5 Hamilton Place, Boston, Mass* 



f'iF^ 



